Orlando Pirates missed the chance to move second on the DStv Premiership table after a 1-0 loss to Richards Bay FC on Saturday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 0-1 Richards Bay FC
Date: 11 May 2024
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Pirates made three changes following their win over Chippa United, as Miguel Timm, Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo and Olisa Ndah were brought in.Richards Bay made their intentions known early on as they pressed the Buccaneers high and had a set-piece on the edge of the box but they could not capitalize.
Jose Riveiro's charges made inroads in the attacking third occasionally, as they were yet to threaten goalkeeper Salim Magoola.
Aggressive in attack, the Natal Rich Boyz eventually broke the deadlock shortly after the half-hour mark after Sanele Barns side-footed a low shot well past shot-stopper Sipho Chaine.
The Buccaneers had a big chance moments later to level matters after Tshegofatso Mabasa attacked a floated cross in the box but he guided a free header over the crossbar.
As Pirates were fired up, Mabasa had another chance on the stroke of half-time with a low strike on the edge of the box that was smothered by Magoola and hosts went to the break trailing 1-0.
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Riveiro's men were all over Richards Bay from the break, as ten minutes into the second stanza Relebohile Mofokeng was unfortunate not to make 1-1 with a lofted shot that came off the crossbar.
Pirates continued to pressurize their visitors and on the hour-mark Innocent Maela had a chance with a free header in the box that missed wide.
The Spanish tactician reinforced the Pirates attack with 25 minutes to go, as Evidence Makgopa replaced Kabelo Dlamini.
Vusumuzi Vilakazi's troops defended deep and in numbers but with nine minutes remaining, Patrick Maswanganyi came very close to equalising for the Buccaneers with a close-range shot that produced great reflexes from Magoola.
The Buccaneers lacked momentum even though they pinned Richards Bay in their own half, who held on to a narrow win.
The Natal Rich Boyz reduced the deficit behind 14th-placed Richards Bay to just two points and Cape Town Spurs were officially relegated.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 23. Maela, 27. Xoki, 49. Ndah, 2. Monyane, 4. Timm, 15. Ndlondlo, 28. Maswanganyi, 18. Dlamini, 38. Mofokeng, 19. Mabasa
Subs: 35. Buthelezi, 45. Pule, 36. Sesane, 30. Baloni, 21. Kapinga, 16. Makhaula, 12. Otladisa, 5. Sibsi
Richards Bay: 80. Magoola, 22. Mabuya, 3. Ndaba, 5. Mthethwa, 25. Mcineka, 38. Dlamini, 20. Mthembu, 29. Barns, 28. Myaba, 21. Mhlongo, 45. Ntsundwana
Subs: 16. Jacobs, 72. Mabua, 88. Makhubela, 23. Figareido, 99. Dube, 13. Gumede, 9. Mbuthuma, 44. Komane, 7. Mohlamme
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