Deon Hotto was on song as he scored and assisted the winner in Orlando Pirates’ 2-1 win over Sekhukhune United in the league at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night.
Hotto scored a fifth minute direct free-kick after Patrick Maswanganyi was fouled to open the scoring for the Buccaneers, who stayed in second position on the log with 33 points in 11 outings. Meanwhile, Babina Noko also remained in fourth spot with 24 points in 15 matches.
Pirates could have doubled their lead a few minutes later through Hotto after Pogiso Mahlangu fouled Deano Van Rooyen. Mahlangu headed the ball out for a corner which Pirates didn’t capitalised on.
A good play between Relebohile Mofokeng and Paseka Mako saw the former’s final touch go over the bar in the 12th minute. Mofokeng had an immediate opportunity to redeem himself from a Maswanganyi cross a minute later but was denied by Badra Sangare.
Tito could have also been on the score sheet after Hotto squared to him in the 21st minute, however he missed the target. Sekhukhune also had some chances to equalise twice from Keletso Makgalwa which saw Sipho Chaine come out to deny him and to keep a clean sheet in the opening half.
Pirates were forced to make a change early in the stanza with injured Thabiso Sesane being replaced by Tapelo Xoki.
The start of the second half saw Evidence Makgopa come on for Tshegofatso Mabasa as the visitors’ second sub. Jose Riveiro’s men went 2-0 up two minutes into the half thanks to a Makhehleni Makhaula header coming from a Hotto cross.
There was a chance for Tito to triple the lead six minutes later but the midfielder missed the target. The home side had a golden opportunity to get back into the game through Mahlangu who needed to just tap in but he missed the target just before the hour mark.
In the 77th minute substitute Linda Mntambo launched a long range shot forcing Chaine to come out but Vuyo Letlapa pounced on the rebound but was denied by the cross, however Mntabo was close by to tap home to get a consolation.
