Orlando Pirates needed substitute Evidence Makgopa’s stoppage-time penalty to reclaim the Betway Premiership top spot after a 2-0 win over Richards Bay FC at the Orlando Amstel Stadium on Wednesday night.
Facing the stubborn Natal Rich Boyz, the Buccaneers appeared restricted to a narrow win but made it a healthy victory right at the death. Oswin Appollis’s first-half strike and Makgopa’s goal helped the Soweto giants back on top as they had seemed stuck in second position.
The Ghost now lead the standings, having amassed 47 points, the same as Sundowns, who trail on goal difference. Richards Bay are unmoved at position 10.
Pirates right-back Kamogelo Sebelebele was back from suspension after missing out on the previous match against Polokwane City, replacing Deano van Rooyen. Patrick Maswanganyi was selected in place of Andre de Jong as a playmaker, while Yanela Mbuthuma stepped in for Makgopa upfront.
From the team that beat Kaizer Chiefs last week, Richards Bay coaches Ronnie Gabriel and Papi Zothwane dropped defender Sbangani Zulu for Lwandile Mabuya as the only change in their starting line-up.
Pirates made the first attempt at goal five minutes into the contest with Thalente Mbatha’s trademark powerful shot from distance, calling the Natal Rich Boyz goalkeeper Ian Otieno to punch the dangerous striker to safety.
HOW PIRATES OUTPLAYED RICHARDS BAY
Appollis then connected on the first attempt, a Kamogelo Sebelebele cross to hand Pirates the lead after 26 minutes. Not long after, the Buccaneers threatened to double their advantage, but Maswanganyi volleyed just wide from a good position.
Pirates left-back Deno Hotto came close in the 65th minute, but was denied by Otieno. Substitute Tshepang Moremi almost added to the Buccaneers’ advantage with 20 minutes to go, but had his shot slightly go over the bar.
After introducing Knox Mutizwa and Luyanda Khumalo, Richards Bay looked threatening, and the latter forced a desperate clearance from Lebone Seema in the 80th minute. Relebohile Mofokeng was denied by the crossbar with nine minutes to go after shooting from outside the box.
Moremi then earned Pirates a penalty in stoppage time after he was brought down inside the box. Makgopa put the contest to bed by converting from the spot,
RELATED STORY: Orlando Pirates give Mbule update ahead of Richards Bay clash