Orlando Pirates secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Richards Bay FC in the DStv Premiership at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Terrence Dzvukamanja and Monnapule Saleng got their names on the scoresheet to help their side leapfrog SuperSport United into second position on the log standings.
This was the first game for Vasili Manousakis as the sole head coach after the club went through the technical team restructuring following a string of poor results.
Manousakis gave the defender Romario Dlamini and goalkeeper Malcolm Jacobs their first appearances this season. Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates academy product Relebohile Ratomo was included in the first team’s substitutes for the first time since getting a promotion.
The first five minutes were played almost exclusively in Richards Bay’s half with the Buccaneers seeking to get an early lead.
Tapelo Xoki wasted a golden chance in the fifth minute after the home side failed to clear the lines from a corner-kick. They were also powered by the electricity of the atmosphere created by their large crowd.
However, moments later, Manousakis’ charges gained confidence and also started some forward movements even though they were not dangerous in front of Chaine’s goals.
In the 28th minute, Saleng nearly put his side in front when he arced a free-kick from an acute angle, however, Jacobs was on hand to save the left-footer’s effort. It could have been a thing of beauty like that free-kick he scored against AmaZulu in the MTN8 final in October.
TERRENCE DZVUKAMANJA OPENED THE SCORING
In the 33rd minute, Pirates opened the scoring through the Zimbabwe-international Dzvukamanja who has suddenly picked up form lately. The striker headed home after he was located by Kabelo Dlamini with an in-swinger cross from the right.
The match went into the break with the visitors leading with 1-0.
Both teams emerged from the interval in the mood, launching attacks against each other but were not accurate in front of goals.
At the hour mark, Saleng managed to get behind the home side’s defence and blasted the ball from close range, however, Jacobs repelled the left-winger’s attempt.
Lorch, who was on fire during the day, missed a clear-cut chance from close range after he had created space for himself in the box.
In the 77th minute, Yanela Mbuthuma came close to levelling the scoreline when he burst into the box and chipped Chaine. However, the Buccaneers had a sigh of relief when the ball went inches wide.
Within the last ten minutes of the match, Riveiro’s troops lowered their gears with the home exerting more pressure on them.
MONNAPULE SALENG DOUBLED THE LEAD
Where Ezimnyama Ngenkani appeared to have taken a slender 1-0 victory, Saleng came from no where and added the second goal in stoppage time.
The Soweto giants then went all the way to grab crucial maximum points on the road. This was their fourth win in a row in all competitions while it was Richards Bay’s seventh consecutive defeat across all competitions.
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