Orlando Pirates gave a near-perfect dress rehearsal for their Premiership top-of-the-table clash against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday after beating Sekhukhune United 2-1 on Wednesday night.
Pirates’ win at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane didn’t only prepare them for the clash in Pretoria, but it ensured that they are six points behind Sundowns on the log.
The Buccaneers are eager to knock the Brazilians off their perch for the title this season, and they’ll know that it’s weeks like these where they’ll have to show their mettle and win matches.
Pirates played the Soweto Derby last Saturday and beat arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs 1-0, courtesy of Patrick Maswanganyi’s panenka penalty in the dying stages.
And given the fact that Sekhukhune are in the top four on the log after a bright start under coach Lehlohonolo Seema, Pirates couldn’t afford to rest on their laurels in Polokwane on Wednesday.
Their two early goals in each half from Deon Hotto and Makhehleni Makhaula helped them bag all three points, given that Linda Mntambo made the finish nervy after scoring late for the hosts.
Pirates haven’t had it easy this season, given that they’ve had to juggle between local and continental football. But they seem to know that heavy is the head that carries the crown.
The Sea Robbers have sailed to clear waters for the better part of the season in the league, with their only blemish being the two losses to the Cape-based sides.
And so, given that they are on a high, they wanted to build on the momentum on Wednesday, and they laid a solid foundation with an early goal from Hotto.
The Namibian international unleashed a close-range set-piece hard and low as it cut through Sekhukhune’s wall, before beating Badra Sangare at his near-post.
The Bucs started to get more feet on the ball as they looked to add to their tally, but they were let down by their finishing in the final third.
Sipho Mbule tried to get his team back in the game as he dazzled in the engine room, only to be stopped in his tracks by the evergreen Makhaula.
Pirates were dealt with a massive blow early in the half as defender Thabiso Sesane was taken off on a stretcher – and replaced by Tapelo Xoki – after twisting his ankle.
Sesane, who’ve played 13 league games since the start of the season, will probably miss the match away to Sundowns, which may have explained why he was distraught.
Pirates went into the break with the advantage, but they’ll feel that they should have at least doubled their tally, especially after Relebohile Mofokeng wasted too many chances in the final third.
However, coach Jose Riveiro’s men wouldn’t have trouble with finding their second goal early in the last stanza via Makhaula’s header.
Deon Hotto strikes early for Orlando Pirates ☠️💥
𝟏𝟐' 𝐒𝐞𝐤𝐡𝐮𝐤𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟎-𝟏 𝐏𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬
14' SuperSport Utd 0-1 Sundowns
📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc @McDonalds_SA pic.twitter.com/gp1tKFwMy1
He defied his diminutive size to rise highest in the box and connect with Hotto’s pinpoint cross before heading past a flat-footed Sangare in goal.
Maswanganyi should have continued with his rich vein of form, but he missed a chance to score his fourth goal in three matches after failing to punish Sangare for a poor clearance.
Pogiso Mahlangu should have made up for the free kick which resulted in Hotto’s goal as he controlled inside the visitors’ box, only to put his final effort across the face of goal.
Mntambo came off the bench to score the consolation for Sekhukhune after his initial thunderbolt was saved by Sipho Chaine, before tapping home Vuyo Letlapa’s rebound.
In the end, though, it was a job well done for Pirates, who’ll take a huge morale-boost from this week heading into their crunch league clash away to the log leaders and champions Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday (3.30pm kick-off).
Wednesday’s Premiership Results
Magesi FC 1-4 Chippa United
Cape Town City 1-1 Golden Arrows
Sekhukhune United 1-2 Orlando Pirates
SuperSport United 0-3 Mamelodi Sundowns
TS Galaxy 0-0 Polokwane City