Orlando Pirates moved six points clear at the top of the Betway Premiership table with a 2-0 win over TS Galaxy on Tuesday night.
Betway Premiership
Result: TS Galaxy 0-2 Orlando Pirates
Date: 29 October 2024
Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Pirates made two changes following their win over AmaZulu, as Thabiso Monyane took the place of the injured Deano Van Rooyen and Kabelo Dlamini was on in place of Patrick Maswanganyi, who was also not in the squad.
The game got off to a lively start, as Galaxy were open to venturing forward but were closed down quickly by Pirates.
Jose Riveiro's charges gained momentum after the first quarter of an hour as Thalente Mbatha sent them ahead with a powerful shot from outside the box.
Sead Ramovic's charges were fired up to come back and on 24 minutes Mpho Mvelase threatened with a strike across goal that missed the far post by a whisker.
As the game opened up, Mbatha came close to doubling the lead for the Buccaneers ten minutes before the break with a thumping volley that forced goalkeeper Ira Tape into a diving save at full stretch.
Galaxy continued to pose danger towards the end of the first stanza and had a penalty appeal turned down, as Pirates went to the break with a narrow lead.
Riveiro's men had a bright start in the second stanza, as seven minutes later Mohau Nkota almost doubled their lead with a low strike across goal that drew a brilliant save from Tape.
The Spanish coach refreshed his team with 22 minutes remaining with a double change as Tshegofatso Mabasa and Gilberto came on for both Evidence Makgopa and Dlamini.
The Rockets opened up spaces for Pirates after the hour-mark, as they were eager to commit numbers going and four minutes later, Relebohile Mofokeng eventually doubled the lead for the Soweto giants with a stunning looping shot from outside the box that looped over the Ivorian shot-stopper and found the top corner.
Galaxy blew their slim chances of a comeback after they were down to ten men in the last minute after Kamogelo Sebelebele got a second booking for simulation and was sent off.
Here's how they lined up:
TS Galaxy: 16. Ira, 21. Sebelebele, 4. M. Mahlangu, 25. Ndamane, 5. Kabini, 12. Khiba, 2. Mvelase, 15. Dithejane, 35. Mbatha, 19. Sibanyoni, 11. Mahlangu
Subs: 32. Ciupa, 8. Mbunjana, 28. Mgaga, 23. Munyai, 45. Seema, 14. Radebe, 33. Doyiza, 7. Sibande, 27. Masiya.
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 36. Sesane, 5. Sibisi, 2. Monyane, 7. Hotto, 16. Mbatha, 8. Makhaula, 18. Dlamini, 33. Nkota, 38. Mofokeng, 17. Makgopa
Subs: 35. Buthelezi, 31. Rasebotja, 29. Mako, 25. Kimvuidi, 23. Maela, 21. Tshobeni, 19. Mabasa, 15. Ndlondlo, 11. Gilberto.
