Orlando Pirates’ Edivence Makgopa and Oswin Appollis scored as the Sea Robbers beat Chippa United 2-0 in the Betway Premiership at the Orlando Stadium.
The win lifts the Buccaneers to second place and level with log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns on 25 points, with the Soweto giants crucially carrying one game in hand.
BETWAY PREMIERSHIP: ORLANDO PIRATES 2-0 CHIPPA UNITED
Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made four changes: Nkosikhona Ndaba, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Deano Van Rooyen and Oswin Appollis have made way for Deon Hotto, Lebone Seema, Thabiso Lebitso and Relebohile Mofokeng.
The story of the game was Chippa’s deep block, with Orlando Pirates only finding the net in the 75th minute. Mofokeng delivered a worldie of a through pass to Hotto, who delivered a perfect cutback for Makgopa to tap in.
Substitute Appollis sealed the result in the fourth minute of added time with a deflected curler into the far top left corner of Dumisani Msibi’s goal.
With 11 games, Orlando Pirates have clocked eight wins, a draw and only two defeats. Ouaddou’s men are unbeaten in nine games, including eight consecutive victories, netting 16 goals and conceding just five in their 11 outings.
HOW THE TWO TEAMS LINED UP
Orlando Pirates: Sipho Chaine, Lebone Seema, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Deano Van Rooyen, Deon Hotto, Thalente Mbatha, Sipho Mbule, Masindi Nemtajela, Relebohile Mofokeng, Tshepang Moremi, Yanela Mbuthuma.
Substitutes: Melusi Buthelezi, Olisah Ndah, Deano Van Rooyen, Patrick Maswanganyi, Kabelo Dlamini, Evidence Makgopa, Nkosikhona Ndaba, Oswin Appollis, Makhehlene Makhaula.
Chippa United: Dumisani Msibi, Sergio Kammies, Nathan Fasika, Harold Majabaidbou, Gadinkame Modise, Abdoulaye Mariko, Sammi Seabi, Azola Matrose, Xolani Sithole, Justice Figareido, Eva Nga.
Substitutes: Elson Sithole, Khaya Mfecane, Banele Hlophe, Somila Ntsundwana, Boy Madingwana, Seun Ndlovu, Asanele Bonani, Rugzaigh Gamildien, Magugwana.
Coming up next for the Sea Robbers is a trip to KwaZulu to battle Durban City on Saturday, 29 November. The game will kick off at 15:30 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, while Chippa will visit Siwelele FC on the same day at the Dr Molemela Stadium at 18:00.
