Orlando Pirates netted two late goals to beat Golden Arrows 3-1 in a DStv Premiership clash at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The crucial victory saw Pirates end their three-match league winless run to keep up with the chasing pack in the title race.
Monnapule Saleng, Terrence Dzvukamanja and Vincent Pule were on target as Pirates clinched their first points of the new year.
After a nervy start to the game in front of their supporters, Pirates dominated possession and created several chances but the club’s attackers fired blanks.
Saleng, who was enduring a dip in form, scored the opener shortly after the water break in the 28th minute from a fine Bandile Shandu cross.
It was the winger’s third league goal and the only goal in the first half.
The Soweto giants started the second stanza on the front foot but the visitors caught them on a counter attack to find the equaliser through Velemseni Ndwandwe just before the 70th minute.
Arrows kept applying the pressure on Pirates defence and came close to scoring again on several occasions in that mini period of dominance.
However, with 10 minutes remaining, Arrows ran out of steam and there was a shift in momentum as Pirates were knocking hard for a winner.
And in added time as it looked like the game would end as a draw, Dzvukamanja restored the Buccaneers’ lead as his header found the back of the net from a Saleng cross.
A minute later, Vincent Pule joined in on the party with a well-taken goal to seal the three points for Pirates, who are under pressure to win.
Prior to the game, Pirates were experiencing a bad run of results in the league having lost their last three matches against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City.
Pirates are now fifth on the log standings with 22 points after 16 matches, 18 points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
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