Orlando Pirates secured a 2-0 win against Sekhukhune United in a Betway Premiership match at the Orlando Amstel Arena to move three points clear at the top of the log.
Boitumelo Radiopane and Oswin Appollis scored in each half to secure maximum points for the defending champions. The Buccaneers are now on 10 points, three above rivals Kaizer Chiefs, who have played a game less.
Pirates were without assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi and winger Tshepang Moremi for the match in Orlando. Moremi failed a late fitness test prior to the fixture.
Meanwhile, Ncikazi was absent from the bench after undergoing emergency knee surgery for an injury sustained during pre-season. The club revealed he had experienced persistent discomfort in recent weeks. He was subsequently granted permission to travel to KwaZulu-Natal to seek specialised medical attention and rest.
Here are the key talking points from the encounter in Soweto.
BOITUMELO RADIOPANE GRABS THE OPPORTUNITY WITH BOTH HANDS
Having been given his first start of the season, striker Boitumelo Radiopane repaid the faith shown by head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou with his first goal of the season and an assist. The 23-year-old came in place of Yanela Mbuthuma, who did not make the matchday squad.
The striker showed the quality he demonstrated during his time with the DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] side, with a few good runs and by troubling Sekhukhune’s defence. Before his goal 10 minutes before the half-time break, Radiopane could have scored earlier after a great effort from a difficult angle, but his shot went wide.
His goal and performance on Tuesday will definitely give the coach a few headaches in terms of his striking option during the MTN8 semi-final second leg against the same opposition on Saturday.
ORLANDO PIRATES’ DEPTH KEY TO THEIR BETWAY PREMIERSHIP TITLE DEFENSE
The Buccaneers made key changes after winning 1-0 against Sekhukhune in the MTN8 semi-final in Polokwane on Saturday.
Newly signed defender Sbangani Zulu came in for regular captain Nkosinathi Sibisi, Daniel Msendami came in for Ghampani Lungu, and Boitumelo Radiopane was brought into the team for Yanela Mbuthuma.
But the changes didn’t stop the home side from dominating proceedings and creating chances to score. With so much quality in the team this season and the new signings fitting in like a glove, the prospects of Pirates defending the title are high.
Besides rivals Mamelodi Sundowns, Pirates surely have one of the best squads this season, and it has been evident during the opening matches.
THE PIRATES MAKESHIFT CENTRE BACK DECENT BUT HAS ROOM TO IMPROVE
The match was a first appearance for defender Sbangani Zulu, who came on for Nkosinathi Sibisi. Zulu partnered with defender of the season Lebone Seema, who has become one of the Buccaneers’ best players.
To be frank, the pair were a bit shaky in the first half, with a few miscommunications, and were caught napping a few times.
This gave Sekhukhune forward Lehlohonolo Mojela two big opportunities that could have hurt the home side. But the pair looked decent in the second half as Zulu looked more settled.
The 90 minutes that Zulu played on the night could be crucial for coach Ouaddou, giving him more options at the back.
CEDRIC KAZE SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT SILLY MISTAKES AT THE BACK
Both goals Sekhukhune United conceded on the night came from mistakes by their defenders. For a club such as Sekhukhune that has assembled a quality side, such mistakes should be avoided if the club wants to compete for titles or at least CAF interclub competitions.
Sekhukhune have now conceded four goals in the four league matches, something that should worry the head coach.
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