Zakhele Lepasa bagged a brace as Orlando Pirates secured their first win of the season by defeating Royal AM 4-2 on Tuesday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 4-2 Royal AM
Date: 08 August 2023
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Pirates made two changes from their narrow defeat against Stellenbosch, as Paseka Mako was recalled alongside a first start for youngster Relebohile Mofokeng.
The Buccaneers had good touches going forward in the opening exchanges and Zakhele Lepasa eventually gave them the lead on 15 minutes with a well dispatched penalty after Lesego Manganyi pulled down Patrick Maswanganyi in the box.
Jose Riveiro's charges remained in control of the game as Saleng had a good chance four minutes later after going through on goal but his shot at the near post was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto.
The hosts continued to play high up the pitch despite their lead and Saleng doubled their lead on the half-hour mark with a curler into the top corner after a through ball by Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo.
Five minutes later, Lepasa grabbed his second and the hosts' third goal with a poked shot after latching onto a long ball by goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
After Royal AM coach John Maduka responded with four changes, substitute Sphiwe Cele pulled a goal back for Royal AM on the stroke of halftime with a shot that took a deflection and sailed past Chaine.
The pace of the game could not reach the levels where the first stanza ended but Pirates still controlled the game and on the hour-mark, jack up their performances, Riveiro made a double change, as Bandile Shandu replaced Thabiso Monyane and Makhehlene Makhaula came on for Thabang Monare.
The Buccaneers deliberately slowed down the tempo of the game in the closing stages, with Thwihli Thwahla in a rush to go forward and Riveiro made a tactical change as Deon Hotto replaced Mofokeng.
The hosts gave Royal AM hope in the last two minutes after Motebang Sera intercepted Chaine's chip from the back and teed up Mxolisi Macuphu, who netted into a gaping net.
With the game on the edge, Shandu finally put the game to bed for Pirates in stoppage time with a low strike past Mpoto after a through ball in the box.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 27. Xoki, 5. Sibisi, 2. Monyane, 29. Mako, 8. Monare, 15. Ndlondlo, 14. Saleng, 38. Mofokeng, 25. Maswaganyi, 9, Lepasa
Subs: 31. Ofori, 39. Mthethwa, 32. Marou, 26. Shandu, 23. Maela, 17. Makgopa, 16. Makhaula, 11. Makaringe, 7. Hotto
Royal AM: 25. Mpoto, 17. Mogaila, 29. Sikakane, 13. Manganyi, 14. Matlaba, 2. Msomi, 6. Kobedi, 50. Masuku, 34. Thikazi, 9. Macuphu, 18. Radebe
Subs: 32. Ngcobo, 5. Dlamini, 28. Mabuza, 30. Gamildien, 33. Sera, 35. Dlamini, 44. Sithole, 48. Maxwele, 77. Cele
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