Staff Reporter.
Orlando Pirates registered a 3-0 win over Golden Arrows at Orlando stadium in Jose Riveiro’s final game as head coach on Tuesday evening.
Pirates attacked the Abafana Bes’thende’s defence with speed from wide areas and they broke the deadlock in the 16th minute after some great work by Relebohile Mofokeng, whose pass found Tshegofatso Mabasa scored to make it 1-0 to Pirates.
It was nearly 2-0 to Pirates in the 19th minute when flying full-back Bandile Shandu hit the upright with a deflected shot. However, Arrows did threaten in the 23rd minute when Nduduzo Sibiya hit the woodwork with a sublime curling effort and Pirates were leading 1-0 at halftime after containing Arrows.
A second-half that was dominated by the Buccaneers followed as Deon Hotto made it 2-0 with a hard and low shot in the 61st minute, beating Mamelodi Sundowns loanee Ismail Watenga at the near post, with the problematic Mofokeng providing his second assist of the match.
Pirates’ 3-0 victory over Arrows was sealed by Kabelo Dlamini, who beat Watenga with a top-class free-kick which curled into the far post in the 66th minute, much to the delight of the Bucs fans inside the iconic stadium in what was coach Jose Riveiro’s farewell match.
Pirates, second on the table, now have 55 points, 12 fewer points than league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who need a point to clinch the title.
Piates will be back in action on May 17 when they will play TS Galaxy for another league game. Two away games will then follow as SuperSport United will host them on May 20 before an encounter against AmaZulu on May 24.
Finally, Bucs will host Magesi FC on May 28.
On the other hand, Arrows will be hosted by Richards Bay on May 17 before a final game against Sekhukhune United on May 24.