Orlando Pirates moved up to fourth in the DStv Premiership after they beat Black Leopards 3-0 at the Orlando Stadium on Thursday evening.
Pirates move above Swallows, and are now one point behind third placed Arrows. They are however still 12 points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, and 8 points behind second-placed AmaZulu.
Leopards remain rooted at the bottom of the table, six points behind 15th-placed Chippa United, with four games remaining in the season.
Orlando Pirates 3-0 Black Leopards
Wayde Jooste went close in the fifth minute, but his powerful effort from just outside the area went wide of Jonas Mendes’ goal, while Deon Hotto went wide a minute a minute later.
Pirates had another good chance in the 11th minute, but Innocent Maela’s header from a Hotto corner went just wide. Five minutes later Siphesihle Ndlovu’s attempt was deflected behind for a corner.
Tshegofatso Mabasa’s first time attempt in the 27th minute, went high and wide, as Pirates dominated but were unable to find the goals.
Rodney Ramagalela finally got a shot on target for the visitors, but it was easily dealt with by Wayne Sandilands in the 32nd minute. Nkanyiso Zungu’s long range effort two minutes later at the other end, went wide of goal.
Kabelo Dlamini had a good chance in the 41st minute, but once again it was off target, as was Thulani Hlatshwayo’s header two minutes later.
Despite so many chances for Pirates, it was goalless at half-time.
Two minutes into the second Pirates took a deserved lead, as Jooste delivered in a good cross to Mabasa, who made no mistake from close range.
Some good defensive work from Hlatshwayo kept Pirates in the lead in the 48th minute, as he cleared off the line after Rodrick Kabwe’s cross looked goal bound. Kabwe went wide eight minutes later, as Leopards desperately looked for a way back into the game.
Dlamini had another opportunity for Pirates in the 63rd minute, but his shot, which took a slight deflection, was comfortably caught by Mendes.
Pirates made it 2-0 in the 67th minute, Mabasa getting a brace. After his initial header hit the upright, he was able to re-gather and get enough on the ball for it to sneak over the line.
Tumelo Khutlang was on target in the 77th minute, but Sandilands dealt with his shot comfortably. Three minutes later the same player was off target.
Themba Ndlovu’s free kick in the 83rd minute was on target, but straight at Sandilands.
But it was Pirates who would score again, as Gabadinho Mhango, who had replaced Mabasa, did well to beat Mendes with a good shot from just inside the area
A Sandilands save in stoppage time denied Mohammed Anas a chance at goal, and Pirates would keep the clean sheet in a good victory.
