Orlando Pirates secured a hard-fought 2-1 win against Sekhukhune United in a Betway Premiership clash at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Wednesday evening.
Deon Hotto and Makhehlene Makhaula scored in each half for the visitors, while former Bucs star Linda Mntambo scored the only goal for Sekhukhune.
Sekhukhune came into the match without three key players. Relebogile Mokhuoane was suspended after accumulating his fourth yellow card against Stellenbosch FC, while Siphesihle Mkhize was serving a red card suspension from the same game. Meanwhile, on-loan winger Katlego Otladisa was unable to play against his parent club – Pirates, due to the loan agreement clause.
The Buccaneers had no player suspended ahead of the match despite the intense derby against rivals Kaizer Chiefs over the weekend at FNB Stadium.
HARD-FOUGHT WIN FOR ORLANDO PIRATES AS TITLE RACES HEAT UP
The visitors did not waste time to open the lead. It took just five minutes for Hotto to find the back of the net through a stunning free-kick outside the 18-area box. Pirates kept piling more pressure on the home side, searching for the second goal, but the Sekhukhune defence remained resolute.
Relebohile Mofokeng came close to getting the second goal for Bucs in the 12th minute, but his shot inside the box was blocked by the Sekhukhune defence. Pirates were forced to make a substitute in the 18th minute as Thabiso Sesane was forced out with an injury. He was replaced by Thapelo Xoki.
Soweto Derby hero Patrick Maswanganyi missed a glorious opportunity to increase the lead when his shot met a well-positioned Badra Ali Sangaré.
Keletso Makgalwa was wasteful for the home side, with a few opportunities to net an equaliser. Pirates went into the half-time break leading 1-0.
The Soweto giants continued where they left off in the second half and wasted no time getting the second goal. Makhehlene Makhaula scored a beautiful header after a cross from Hotto.
SEKHUKHUNE UNITED TRY TO FIGHT BACK, BUT THE BUCCANEERS HOLD ON FOR IMPORTANT WIN
Pirates dominated the second half and could have increased the lead. But the home side also took the fight back and were eventually rewarded. Substitute Linda Mntambo scored one back with 13 minutes to go.
Chibuike Ohizu nearly found an equaliser for the home side with eight minutes to go. But Sipho Chaine produced a world-class save to deny the home side.
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