Orlando Pirates secured a 1-0 win against Chippa United in a Betway Premiership match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Wednesday.
Captain on the night Nkosinathi Sibisi scored the only goal of the match on the stroke of half time.
As a result of the win, the Buccaneers are now 16 points behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who played to a 1-1 draw against Golden Arrows on the same night.
Pirates were without midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi and goalkeeper Sipho Chaine. Chaine missed the clash because of a one-match suspension. Maswanganyi, on the other hand, is on the sidelines as he continues to undergo rehabilitation from an injury he suffered during the 2-1 win against Cape Town City FC last week.
Before the match, Pirates also confirmed that various players were still missing due to different injuries. Miguel Timm [Ankle], Thabiso Monyane [Hamstring], Zakhele Lepasa [Ankle], Olisa Ndah [Shin], Thabiso Lebitso [Ankle] and Thabiso Sesane [Achillies].
ORLANDO PIRATES SECURE MAXIMUM POINTS BESIDES MISSING KEY PLAYERS
Chippa United winger Giovanni Philander was the first to pose a threat to Pirates with a free-kick as early as the fifth minute. His attempt hit the side netting. Kabelo Dlamini missed a glorious opportunity to open the scoring for the visitors after his shot from close range, from a Relebohile Mofokeng cross, missed the target.
Philander continued to be a problem for Pirates’ defence with a few shots but failed to find the target. Tshegofatso Mabasa was also the culprit in missing chances after his shot was not enough to beat Stanley Nwabali five minutes before the break.
Just as the match was heading to the half-time break at 0-0, defender Nkosinathi Sibisi connected from a Mofokeng corner kick to give the Buccaneers a 1-0 lead going into the break.
The second half was as impressive as the first as both teams pushed for another goal. Substitute Goodman Mosele thought he had scored a second for the Buccaneers, but the ball was adjusted to be outside before it reached the former Chippa United player.
The Buccaneers managed to hold on to the three points, their 13th win of the season.
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