The Sunday Independent

Pirates nail Chippa to bag full points

MIHLALI BALEKA mihlali.baleka@inl.co.za

ORLANDO Pirates recorded backto-back wins in a week after putting Chippa United to the sword with a 3-1 victory in a DStv Premiership encounter at a cool Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha, yesterday afternoon.

Pirates had a slow start to the campaign, drawing two games and losing one. But they turned their campaign around last weekend, beating Swallows FC at home. They built on that winning momentum in the Windy City.

Credit should go to their midfield partnership between Abel Mabaso and Goodman Mosele who were instrumental with patient build-up plays.

Chippa, meanwhile, will probably regret the chances they missed in the first half. The Chilli Boys went into this match looking to recover from a defeat away to Royal AM.

Pirates’ caretaker coaches Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids made one change to last weekend’s team, with Tshegofatso Mabasa coming on for Deon Hotto. Mabasa came off the bench to score the winner against the Dube Birds.

Gavin Hunt, meanwhile, made five changes to the team that lost to Royal AM. Those changes nearly made an instant impact for the Chilli Boys who threatened to take the lead. The home side's counter-attacks ripped Pirates apart. Thokozani Sekotlong received a weighted pass from the engine room before setting free Phakamani Mahlambi who raced towards goal before slotting home.

Pirates responded with a couple of constructive passes which were orchestrated by Goodman Mosele, the former Baroka FC player who has gradually settled nicely into the team with every game.

Pirates’ efforts paid dividends before the half-hour mark. Bandile Shandu found Vincent Pule with a diagonal ball in front of the box. Pule unleashed a hard and high shot that Mabasa trapped before turning to slot past Rashid Watenga.

Pirates continued to dominate possession but it was the Chilli Boys who should have gone to the break ahead. Mahlambi missed a sitter when he put his shot wide following a poor clearance from defender Thulani Hlatshwayo.

Pirates started with more vigour in the second half, pulling off a great team goal before the hour mark. Substitute Terrence Dzvukamanja found Shandu who put through Abel Mabaso who pounced past Watenga.

But the Bucs were not done as they established the victory with another team goal. Mabaso turned provider after putting through Mosele. The under-23 international picked his spot and rattled the ball past Watenga.

SPORT

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2021-09-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://thesundayindependent.pressreader.com/article/281887301444102

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