On Saturday night, Orlando Pirates registered a third straight win in the DStv Premiership with a 2-0 victory away to struggling Marumo Gallants. Pirates made two changes to the side that thrashed Stellenbosch, as Terrence Dzvukamanja got his first start of the season in place of Kermit Erasmus and Paseka Mako was recalled.
☠️ FT || Marumo Gallants FC 0 – 2 Orlando Pirates Football Club
36′ Saleng
68′ (P) Ndlondlo⚫️⚪️⭐️Matchday DStvPremOrlandoPiratesOnceAlways pic.twitter.com/icZt2y6yXG
— (@Bulela_) January 28, 2023
The Buccaneers dominated the opening exchanges but were unable to find openings in the dangerous areas and only managed to threaten with crosses into the box. However, on 36 minutes, Monnapule Saleng applied the finishing touches from close-range following great work by Dzvukamanja down the left flank, giving Pirates the lead.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa got out of their defensive shell as halftime approached and they threatened to get back into the game but Pirates stood firm to take a narrow lead to the break.
Jose Riveiro’s charges opened the game up early in the second stanza, with Olivier Toure coming close to equalising eight minutes in with a goal-bound shot that was dragged away by goalkeeper Sipho Chaine. Pirates were then awarded a penalty on 66 minutes after Mahlatse Makudubela shoved down Bandile Shandu in the box. Ndlondlo had the courage to take the spot-kick against his former side and doubled Pirates’ lead with a low strike into the bottom corner.
Riveiro looked to consolidate the result with 20 minutes remaining, as Goodman Mosele replaced Kabelo Dlamini in a defensive change and eight minutes later Vincent Pule replaced Dzvukamanja for fresh legs in attack. Pirates threatened to run riot in the dying minutes, as they claimed their third consecutive win for the first time this season and closed the gap behind second-placed Richards Bay to just two points in fourth place on the log.
