Staff Reporter.
Orlando Pirates earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Golden Arrows in a Betway Premiership clash at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Arrows started well and nearly found the opener in the 11th minute, as Nhlanhla Zwane had a free header from a corner, which he sent right of the post.
Another opportunity came in the 14th minute, but Nduduzo Sibiya could not get a touch to nudge the ball home from the middle of the box.
Abafana Bes’thende’s best chance of the half came in the 20th minute, as Pirates goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi rushed out and failed to clear the ball and was almost chipped by Siyanda Mthanti, trying to beat the defenders on the line, but missing the goal.
After an underwhelming first half, Pirates found the opener in the 51st minute after Kabelo Dlamini played a perfectly weighted ball for Patrick Maswanganyi, who kept his composure to round the rushing keeper and slot the ball into the back of the net.
Pirates nearly doubled their lead in the 58th minute, after substitute Simphiwe Selepe’s cross found Bandile Shandu, who could not connect cleanly with the ball to keep it on target.
Abafana Bes’thende struck back in the 59th minute to draw level as Velemseni Ndwandwe’s cross to Mthanti received a tidy first-time finish from close range.
Substitute Tshegofatso Mabasa fired Pirates back into the lead in the 72nd minute with a thumping volley into the roof of the net.
Mabasa nearly found a second in the 87th minute from a Dlamini corner, but his effort at the near post went over the bar.
Pirates will now turn their focus to the upcoming Nedbank Cup final where they will face Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.