By Michael Madyira
Orlando Pirates completed back-to-back Premier Soccer League victories after Saturday’s 1-0 win over visiting TS Galaxy at Orlando Stadium.
Deon Hotto’s converted 25th-minute freekick made the difference on an evening the Buccaneers made a follow-up to the midweek win over Moroka Swallows.
Having avoided defeat in their last five league games, Pirates are now fifth on the PSL standings after climbing two places while TS Galaxy remain 12th.
It was not an ideal result for the Rockets who now go to the final Carling Knockout final reeling from Saturday’s defeat.
Galaxy captain Mlungisi Mbunjana returned from suspension but he started from the bench while goalkeeper Vasilije Kolak was back to take over goalkeeping duties from Fiacre Ntwari.
It was an unsurprising starting lineup for Pirates but Fortune Makaringe continued to operate as a right-back in the absence of Bandile Shandu and Thabiso Monyane.
The Buccaneers goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi got busy as early as the sixth minute when he made a double save, first denying MacBeth Mahlangu and then frustrating Lehlohonolo Mojela who had made a follow-up.
Then the following minute, Mahlangu came face to face with Buthelezi and managed to round the Pirates custodian but was slow in his execution to allow Makarunge to recover and thwart his attack.
As Pirates were trying to adjust into the contest, coach Jose Riveiro was forced to remove an injured Vincent Pule for Karim Kimvuidi on 20 minutes.
But the two teams were separated when Hotto struck a beautiful freekick that left Kolak rooted to the spot watching the net being rattled.
Towards halftime, Relebohile Mofokeng was left kicking himself after he broke loose for a one-on-one situation with Kolak but was denied by the Bosnian goalkeeper.
Shortly after, Kolak was invited to stretch and tip over the bar with a shot by Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo.
After promising to win by a wide margin, Pirates struggled in the second half and rarely created promising chances.
The Rockets then came close with 15 minutes to go when Higor Vidal’s freekick was met by substitute Samir Nurkovic who narrowly headed off target.
Zakhele Lepasa continued being a pale shadow of his former self as twice he blasted his efforts wide while well-positioned and unmarked while Pirates struggled to get that cushion goal until the final whistle.
Pictured above: Orlando Pirates midfielder Miguel Timm under the challenge of TS Galaxy’s Higor Vidal.
Image source: Orlando Pirates
