Orlando Pirates jumped ahead of Kaizer Chiefs on the DStv Premiership table as they made it five unbeaten, beating TS Galaxy 1-0 at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday night.
Pirates move up to fifth, two points ahead of Chiefs, who beat Polokwane City this afternoon.
Melusi Buthelezi saved Pirates blushes in the sixth minute as he made an excellent double save to deny Lindokuhle Mbatha and Lehlohonolo Mojela. Two minutes later Galaxy had another chance but this time it was Fortune Makaringe to the rescue as he dispossessed Sphiwe Mahlangu after the attacker had rounded the goalkeeper.
Those two good moments in defence would prove to be invaluable, as Pirates began to wrestle control of the possession.
But the Bucs suffered an early setback when Vincent Pule had to leave the pitch after taking a knock to the head, and he was replaced by Karim Kimvuidi in the eighteenth minute.
However, the home team were in the lead in the 25th minute as Deon Hotto left Vasilije Kolak flat-footed, scoring from a free kick into the top right corner.
Evidence Makgopa’s effort in the 31st minute, took a deflection and went behind, although the lanky striker was frustrated as a corner wasn’t awarded.
It should’ve been two in the 39th but Kolak denied Relebohile Mofokeng from close range, and no Pirates player was able to finish on the follow-up.
Kolak made another fine save a minute later, this time getting a hand to deny Phillip Ndlondlo’s long-range attempt. Olisa Ndah was unable to steer his header on target from the resulting corner.
At the break it remained 1-0 to Jose Riveiro’s team.
The second half saw a battle in the middle of the park, with Pirates seeing more of the ball, and while there were opportunities in the final third, there were almost no shots at goal in 25 minutes as balls into the box failed to find their targets.
Samir Nurkovic set up Mahlangu in the 71st minute, but his first-time shot was always going off-target. Two minutes later Nurkovic wasn’t able to steer a header on target.
At the other end, Kabelo Dlamini’s goal-bound effort in the 84th minute was well blocked by Macbeth Mahlangu.
Zakhele Lepasa had a great chance in the 90th minute, having already been involved in the build-up, he was set up in front of goal but ballooned his effort over.
Sead Ramovic’s put the Bucs under same late pressure, but Pirates were able to hold out out with some stern defence
