By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Orlando Pirates recorded a convincing 2-0 win over Chippa United 2-0 on Tuesday night at Orlando Stadium to go joint top in the Premier Soccer League standings.
Pirates completely dominated proceedings as they created chances in the first half, although United had the first sniff at goal when Bienvenu Eva Nga tested Sipho Chaine on four minutes from a counter-attacking move.
Dumisani Msibi was then called into action twice in the space of three minutes to deny Sipho Mbule and Relebohile Mofokeng, who produced another save out of the goalkeeper with a shot from range in 26 minutes.
The action quickly switched to the other end as Eva Nga flashed a shot over the crossbar after getting the better of Nkosinathi Sibisi and the final chance of the half saw Deon Hotto also clear the target from a free-kick in the 37th minute.
Msibi was alert to the danger as he made a brave save to keep out Yanela Mbuthuma from close range on 50 minutes, while Tshepang Moremi and Aswin Appollis were both guilty of failing to work the keeper midway through the second half.
However, the pressure finally told on 75 minutes when Mofokeng played in Hotto with a defence-splitting pass he squared the ball for Evidence Makgopa to tap home from a few yards out.
The visitors almost hit back five minutes later, but Chaine stood firm to prevent first Asanele Bonani and then Sirgio Kammies from equalising in quick succession.
Chaine was well-placed to make another save from Bonani in the third minute of stoppage time and the Soweto giants went up the pitch to seal the win through Appollis moments later.