Orlando Pirates dusted themselves off after last weekend’s MTN8 final disappointment to beat TS Galaxy 3-0 in a Betway Premiership match at Orlando Amstel Arena on Tuesday.
Fresh from the 2-0 defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns and denied a fifth successive MTN8 title, the Buccaneers responded by collecting maximum points on the league front. Boitumelo Radiopane, Tshepang Maoremi and Simphiwe Masilela were on target as Pirates beat TS Galaxy.
Crucially, the Soweto giants now have three points in the bag, one point fewer than log leaders Sundowns, who have played a game more. For TS Galaxy, it was their third straight defeat as they sit 12th on the table.
Easu Mtsweni, promoted from the DStv Diski Challenge side, took charge of the Rockets, who continue to search for a UEFA Pro-qualified coach to replace Bernard Parker. But he faltered as Pirates handed themselves a huge boost ahead of Saturday’s CAF Champions League second preliminary round, first-leg clash with Namibian champions African Stars at the National Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana.
FARPost looks at how Pirates secured victory over TS Galaxy on Tuesday.
OUADDOU’S BIG CHANGES
The former Morocco defender made some major changes to the side that started against Sundowns. Abdeslam Ouaddou sought fresh ideas from the wing-backs, bringing in former Milford FC right-back Bulelani Sigomoshe and Nkosikhona Ndaba on the left.
A new-look midfield trio was set up, with Simphiwe Selepe and Thapelo Mokobodi in the engine room and Simphiwe Masilela as the attacking linkman. Oswin Appollis was back in the starting lineup, together with Radiopane, as Yanela Mbuthuma did not make the matchday squad.
Thalente Mbatha, Mbuthuma and Deon Hotto were notable Pirates absentees from the team humbled by Sundowns.
RADIOPANE A PAYING GAMBLE
Since September 1, Radiopane has not made the Pirates matchday squad and has missed three games. But on an evening he was trusted to lead the Buccaneers’attack, he responded with a goal.
His selection to start looked like a gamble considering that Evidence Makgopa is now fully fit. However, Makgopa opened the scoring for Pirates and set up a platform for a comfortable victory.
MASILELA HAS HIS SAY
Scoring his first-ever goal for Pirates, Masilela might have sent a statement to Ouaddou that he should be a regular starter. He has been given chances this season, which is his maiden term playing first-team football, but an assist against Durban City FC was the only thing he had to show.
LETSOALO UNDER LOCK AND KEY
Even with the support of Sedwyn George and Junior Zindoga, Victor Letsoalo failed to make an impact. Also, thanks to Mokobodi and Selebe in midfield, as well as Pirates centre-backs captain Nkosinathi Sibisi and Lebone Sibisi, Letsoalo was starved of clean balls.
However, Letsoalo came close in the 64th minute, in what was arguably his best chance at goal, but Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine was quick to deny him.
MOREMI AN IMPACT SUBSTITUTE
Starting Moremi on the bench initially seemed like the wrong decision for Ouaddou, as Gamphani Lungu struggled and appeared psychologically weighed down after missing a penalty in the MTN8 final. Ouaddou then pulled the Zambian at halftime, and Moremi made an impact just five minutes in.
BENCHING MAHLAMBI MIGHT HAVE BACKFIRED FOR TS GALAXY
He might be struggling to replicate the form that saw him being one of the league’s star performers last season, but Seluleko Mahlambi should have been included in Mtsweni’s plans from the start of the match.
He struggled to make his presence felt when he came on for Siyanda Xulu at the start of the second half.
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