Orlando Pirates maintained their winning record in the Betway Premiership after defeating SuperSport United 2-0 on Tuesday night.
Betway Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 2-0 SuperSport United
Date: 22 October 2024
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Pirates made five changes after their cup defeat against Magesi, as Patrick Maswanganyi, Evidence Makgopa, Thalente Mbatha, Makhehlene Makhaula and Mohau Nkota were all brought in.
SuperSport, meanwhile, had four former Buccaneers in their line-up, Vincent Pule, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Siphesihle Ndlovu and Thulani Hlatshwayo.
Jose Riveiro's charges went ahead barely two minutes into the game after Makgopa latched onto a through ball over the top and fired past goalkeeper Ricardo Goss.
The Soweto continued to threaten with another looped pass over the defence moments later that sent Relebohile Mofokeng clear but his lob over Goss missed an open net by inches.
SuperSport only got into the game after 25 minutes after Pule found the back of the net with a shot from a rebound, after shot-stopper Sipho Chaine kept out a header by Tashreeq Morris but his goal was disallowed for offside.
The pace of the game slowed down towards the end of the first stanza and the hosts held on to their narrow lead at halftime.
Matsatsantsa continued to chase the game early in the second stanza and ten minutes later Gavin Hunt changed his approach going forward as Kaizer Chiefs loanee Donay Jansen came on for Dzvukamanja.
With the game on the edge midway into the second stanza, Riveiro made a defensive and tactical change, as Innocent Maela replaced Nkota.
United committed numbers going forward in the closing stages and were fortunate not to be punished in the last six minutes after Mofokeng went through on goal, dribbled past Goss but had his shot cleared off the line.
The Buccaneers continued to threaten on counter-attacks and Hotto eventually sealed the three points as he doubled their lead in added time with a curling shot from the edge of the box.
Pirates opened a three-point lead at the top, although Mamelodi Sundowns have a game in hand.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 36. Sesane, 5. Sibisi, 3. Van Rooyen, 7. Hotto, 16. Mbatha, 8. Makhaula, 28. Maswanganyi, 33. Nkota, 38. Mofokeng, 17. Makgopa
Subs: 35. Buthelezi, 32. Moleleki, 31. Rasebotja, 23. Maela, 19. Mabasa, 18. Dlamini, 15. Ndlondlo, 12. Otladisa, 2. Monyane
SuperSport United: 20. Goss, 2. Mobbie, 19. Rapoo, 4. Sanoka, 3. Hlatshwayo, 14. Morris, 8. Ndlovu, 18. Poggenpoel, 24. Lakay, 15. Pule, 18. Dzvukamanja
Subs: 1. Mbanjwa, 42. Baloyi, 29. Baliti, 21. Jansen, 5. Mbangossoum, 13. Okon, 25. Ayer, 45. Mahlangu, 9. Mangezi
