Staff Reporter.
Orlando Pirates registered their fifth Premier Soccer League win in a row after beating TS Galaxy 2-0 on Wednesday night at the Orlando Stadium.
The win takes Pirates to third position, on the other hand, Galaxy remained seventh in the standings after their five-match unbeaten run came to an end.
Pirates were awarded a penalty after Mlungisi Mbunjana was adjudged to have fouled eventual Man of the Match Masindi Nemtajela in the box and Evidence Makgopa converted from the spot-kick to hand Pirates a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute.
Kamogelo Sebelebele was determined to find the back of the net against his former employers as he had two rasping shots saved by goalkeeper Ira Eliezer Tape in the 24th and 25th minutes. Galaxy were then able to contain Pirates, who were enjoying a narrow 1-0 lead at the interval, thanks to Makgopa’s 17th goal for the Buccaneers.
Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made attacking changes after the restart, with Tshegofatso Mabasa and Oswin Appllis being introduced. The duo nearly combined to double the Pirates’ lead in the 71st minute, as Appollis played a defence-splitting pass for Mabasa, but the ball was cleared away by on-rushing Tape, before the striker could pounce and score.
Both teams surged forward in numbers in the latter stages of the match, with the Rockets looking to snatch a late equalising goal, while the Buccaneers looked to kill off the game. Mabasa proved to be an inspired substitute as he headed home Deon Hotto’s cross in stoppage time to seal Pirates’ 2-0 win over Galaxy.
Meanwhile record title winners Al Ahly of Egypt and Mamelodi Sundowns, both top-ranked sides, have been handed byes into the Second Preliminary Round where defending champions Pyramids FC of Egypt will face Rwanda’s APR.