Staff Reporter.
Orlando Pirates secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Polokwane City in the Betway Premiership at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
Pirates came to the match having not tasted a defeat in eight games they had played across all competitions. Meanwhile, Rise and Shine opened the season with a victory over Amazulu in the league outing.
City were happy to sit back, and allow Pirates to do most of the attacking. Relebohile Mofokeng tried his luck from range in the 10th minute and his effort flew just over the crossbar.
Pirates were limited to long-range shots as Polokwane looked solid and impenetrable. Deano van Rooyen and Kabelo Dlamini missed the target with their attempts from range in the 32nd minute and first-half stoppage time respectively. The score was 0-0 at halftime.
The hosts exerted pressure on Rise and Shine’s defence which went to sleep in the 55th minute. Mofokeng set up Monnapule Saleng who scored with a close-range effort from a tight angle to hand Pirates a 1-0 lead.
Coach Jose Riveiro refreshed his attack in the 84th minute – pulling out Tshegofatso Mabasa and introducing Evidence Makgopa who made it 2-0 to Pirates in the 86th minute after Karim Kimvuidi’s shot was parried into his path by keeper Manuel Sapunga.
The goal rattled the Polokwane defence and the visitors conceded again in stoppage time. This time, Raymond Daniels’ poor back pass was poked home by Makgopa who completed his brace and sealed Pirates’ 3-0 victory.