Orlando Pirates continued with their winning ways in the DStv Premiership following a 2-0 victory against troubled Marumo Gallants at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday.
It was a third successive win for the season for the Buccaneers. It is also the first time that Pirates win three successive league matches since September 2020.
While it was celebrations for Pirates, Gallants were left deeper in their woes as they anchor the DStv Premiership standings.
ORLANDO PIRATES COACH LAUDS TEAMWORK
Pirates’ goals came via Monnapule Saleng and a penalty by former Marumo midfielder Phillip Ndlondlo. The win takes Pirates to 28 points but remain fourth on the log. They are also 24 points behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, though the latter has played two games more.
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro credited team work for the victory that saw them get a clean sheet in five matches.
“The [whole] team looked solid. The midfield cannot be solid if the back four is not solid or the forwards are not helping,” he told SuperSport TV.
“This is a collective sport and currently we have many players in good form which is very good for the team. The competition during the week is tough and if you want to be on the field, you really have to deserve it,” he said.
Riveiro’s counterpart Dan Malesela insists some decision making by the players could have been done better on the field.
“We knew it was going to be difficult but we were prepared to fight and I think we did. Unfortunately, once you start conceding goals, even when it doesn’t look like there would be a goal, it demoralises a bit.
“But Pirates played well, you can’t deny it but we tried with our own. I think somewhere with the decision making we could have done things better. Particularly when we were in the box,” he said.
MARUMO DEEP IN RELEGATION TROUBLE
Meanwhile, Marumo Gallants remain rooted at the bottom of the log and are now firm favourites for relegation. They are on 15 points from 20 matches, three below second from bottom Swallows who have played two games less.
Marumo’s next five DStv Premiership fixtures include encounters against Sekhukhune, TS Galaxy, Cape Town City, Royal AM and Kaizer Chiefs.
Earlier on, SuperSport United and Swallows played to a 0-0 draw at Dobsonville Stadium. The results did not change anything for both teams as United remained third and Swallows second from bottom.
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