Staff Reporter.
Monnapule Saleng scored his first goals since coming back to Orlando Pirates as they beat Golden Arrows 2-0 at Princess Magogo Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Saleng, who Pirates loaned him last season to Swallows FC, played well especially with Kermit Erasmus in tandem, as the former Mamelodi Sundowns striker assisted him in both goals in the first half.
The win moved Pirates to fourth in the DStv Premiership table with 19 points after 11 games, replacing their bitter rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
The Buccaneers attacked the Abafana Bes’thende defence with speed with Saleng and Erasmus causing havoc for the hosts’ backline with their sharp movement and good combinations.
The deadlock was broken in the sixth minute when Saleng netted his first-ever goal for the Soweto giants to hand Pirates a 1-0 lead with Erasmus providing the assist after a good move.
Arrows’ slow defence was struggling to contain the attack-minded duo who combined again to make it 2-0 to Pirates in the 24th minute as Saleng scored with a low shot and the Buccaneers were deservingly leading at the interval.
Sbonelo Cele was introduced by Abafana Bes’thende prior to the start of the second half as the hosts looked to fight back with Nduduzo Sibiya looking lively and the attacker unleashed a shot which missed the target in the 50th minute.
With the hosts pushing for their first goal of the match, Pirates coach Jose Riveiro reacted by making changes as the Spanish tactician introduced Paseka Mako and Zakhele Lepasa with 24 minutes left on the clock.
The momentum was with Arrows in the latter stages of the game, but they couldn’t keep their shots on target and ultimately, the match ended in a 2-0 win in favour of Pirates.