Orlando Pirates reclaimed second place in the DStv Premiership after they beat Chippa United 2-0 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday evening.
First-half goals from Kabelo Dlamini and Thembinkosi Lorch secured a fourth straight win for Jose Riveiro’s side as they moved back above SuperSport United on goal difference, with the Chilli Boys remaining two points clear of Maritzburg United in 14th place.
Chippa were looking to build on back-to-back 1-1 draws against Sekhukhune United and Matsatsantsa, while Pirates hoped to keep pace with Gavin Hunt’s men, who beat TS Galaxy 2-0 on Friday.
The two teams battled for midfield domination in the opening stages and the crowd had to wait until the 17th minute for the first attempt at goal as Brooklyn Poggenpoel fired just wide of the left post after a loose ball fell at his feet from a corner.
However, the visitors hit the front shortly afterwards when Dlamini converted Monnapule Saleng’s low cross at close range following a swift counter from Bucs.
Dlamini was presented with another good chance only two minutes later but he dragged his shot wide of the right post from the edge of the area before the action quickly switched to the opposite end with Poggenpoel heading a corner inches to the right of the goal on 24 minutes.
The Soweto giants went on to see plenty of the ball in the first half and gave themselves a two-goal cushion at the break after Lorch latched onto Paseka Mako’s defence-splitting pass to beat Lyodt Kazapua with a cool finish from inside the box in the 38th minute.
Kazapua had to be alert to prevent Lorch from scoring again on 54 minutes as his in-swinging corner almost sneaked in at the near post, while Sipho Chaine was called into action for the first time moments later to keep out Etiosa Ighodaro’s header from Ronaldo Maarman’s cross.
The hosts continued to search for a way back into the match but Pirates defended manfully to hold them at bay and Lorch threatened once more on 77 minutes when he tested Kazapua with a header from Deon Hotto’s cross.
Chippa piled on the pressure in the closing stages as they pinned the Buccaneers inside their own half, with Sirgio Kammies forcing Chaine into a save on 87 minutes after getting on the end of Ighodaro’s pass inside the box before Maarman gave the keeper more work to do in stoppage time with a strike from range.
Chippa United (0) 0
Orlando Pirates (2) 2 (Dlamini 20′, Lorch 38′)
Chippa United: L. Kazapua, Z. Mdunyelwa (S. Kammies 78′), R. Pietersen (M. Mathiane 72′), A. Banda, R. Pfumbidzai (R. Maarman 46′), S. Mkhize, B. Poggenpoel (A. Konqobe 72′), T. Lebitso, M. Maphangule, J. September (A. Ntsabo 46′), E. Ighodaro.
Orlando Pirates: S. Chaine, P. Mako (B. Shandu 90′), N. Sibisi, T. Xoki, I. Maela, M. Timm, T. Monare, K. Dlamini (F. Makaringe 69′), T. Lorch (N. Ndlondlo 90′), M. Saleng (D. Hotto 69′), T. Dzvukamanja (K. Erasmus 75′).
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