Orlando Pirates 2-1 SuperSport United: Bucs edge Matsatsantsa to boost PSL top-three hopes

Orlando Pirates secured their maiden win since the current season resumed when they defeated SuperSport United 2-1 in a PSL match which was played on Saturday afternoon.

The Buccaneers were desperate to snap their six-match winless run in the league and also boost their hopes of qualifying for next season's Caf Confederation Cup.

Coach Josef Zinnbauer made two changes to the team which faced and lost to Cape Town City last weekend with Fortune Makaringe and Frank Mhango making their return to the starting line-up.

On the other hand, Matsatsantsa were looking to extend their unbeaten run to six matches in the league having defeated Polokwane City and Black Leopards in their last two games. 

Zinnbauer's counterpart, Kaitano Tembo surprisingly preferred young centrebacks Luke Fleurs and Thatayaone Ditlhokwe ahead of the experienced Bongani Khumalo in the absence of Clayton Daniels. 

However, a youthful SuperSport side started the match well with the team featuring a three-man midfield of Sipho Mbule, Jamie Webber and Teboho Mokoena, who are all under the age of 23. 

Mokoena had a glorious opportunity to hand the visitors an early lead following a good move in the Pirates box, but goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands came out to deny the young midfielder from close range.

Pirates grew in confidence as the match progressed and they were nearly gifted a goal when Botswana youth international Ditlhokwe slipped up and gave away possession to Mhango.

The Malawi international unleashed a powerful shot which was brilliantly saved by Ronwen Williams in the Matsatsantsa goal and the away side survived a scare. 

However, Williams was beaten when Thembinkosi Lorch combined with Vincent Pule, who pulled the trigger from range and his left-footed effort hit the back of the net to make it 1-0 to Pirates in the 29th minute.

Matsatsantsa then pushed for the equalising goal and they got it in the 41st minute when Fleurs rewarded Tembo's faith in him by heading home Webber's corner-kick to make it 1-1 heading into the half-time break.

Zinnbauer decided to make a change in the early stages of the second half as he introduced Lerato Lepasa, who replaced Mhango, and the lanky centre forward made an immediate impact.

Lorch made a brilliant pass for Lepasa and the former TS Galaxy striker burst into the Matsatsantsa box, before firing past Bafana Bafana international Williams to make it 2-1 to Pirates.

Almost immediately at the other end, SuperSport were awarded a penalty when Innocent Maela was adjudged to have fouled second-half substitute Ghampani Lungu in the box.

Bradley Grobler had a chance to join Mhango and Highlands Park striker Peter Shaulile at the top of the league's goalscoring charts with the duo currently on 14 goals, but the marksman was denied by Sandilands from the spot-kick.

However, SuperSport continued to attack and they were awarded another penalty when Aubrey Modiba was fouled by Ntsikelelo Nyauza inside the box.

This time former Pirates striker Thamsanqa Gabuza stepped up and he was denied by the experienced Sandilands, who ensured that the score remained 2-1 to Pirates.

SuperSport launched late attacks as they looked to snatch a late equalizing goal, but the hosts contained the likes of Gabuza, Lungu and Grobler and ultimately, Pirates emerged 2-1 winners on the day.

The victory took the Buccaneers to the fourth spot on the league standings - a point behind third-placed SuperSport with two matches left.