Staff Reporter.
Orlando Pirates secured a convincing 3-0 win over struggling Chippa United in the Betway Premiership at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Goals from Patrick Maswangayi, Deon Hotto and substitute Tshepang Moremi were enough to earn Pirates their third victory of the season and they moved up to fifth position on the log table.
Pirates enjoyed the possession in the first half and Chippa goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was called into action in as early as the first minute of the match.
In the 10th minute, Pirates found their opening goal as Maswanganyi beat Nwabali with a low shot following a mistake at the back by the home side.
The visitors doubled their lead three minutes before half-time as Oswin Appollis pounced onto a loose ball in Chippa’s half and set up Deon Hotto, who beat goalkeeper Nwabali at the near post and Pirates were deservedly leading 2-0 at half-time.
Pirates exerted more pressure on the home side after the restart and they were awarded a penalty after Makgopa was fouled in the box. Maswanganyi stepped up, hoping to grab his brace, but the Bafana Bafana international was denied by Nigeria’s No 1 Nwabali in the 50th minute.
However, Nwabali was beaten for the third time on the day, six minutes after the hour mark. Eventually Man of the Match Appollis grabbed his second assist of the match after his pass found substitute Tshepang Moremi, who scored with a hard and low shot, and Pirates claimed a 3-0 win on the day.
Meanwhile Marumo Gallants and Polokwane City were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in their latest Betway Premiership tie at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.