Pirates claim another vital victory to keep second place finish alive

Orlando Pirates’ good start in the game against TS Galaxy saw them edge them 2-1 in a tightly contested DStv Premiership clash at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday. 

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Pirates opened the scoring early in the game, but Galaxy managed to bounce back into the game, only for the Buccaneers to go upfront again. 

The victory was good for Pirates as they went to second place on the league standings with 49 points after 27 games, two points ahead of third placed SuperSport United, who are in the race for the runners-up position.

For Galaxy, they are moving further away from trying to get into the top half of the table. The Rockets are in 12th position with 31 points.

Bucs had a perfect start to the game. The away side opened the scoring just two minutes into the start, thanks to a good header from Terrence Dzvukamanja.

Having taken the lead, Pirates didn’t relax. They created some opportunities as an attack by Paseka Mako and Deon Hotto saw the latter’s cross into the Galaxy box being cleared away three minutes later.

In the 30th minute, the Rockets went on a very promising attack which saw Nkosinathi Sibisi keeping out the danger, only for Galaxy to shout for a penalty, but the referee waved play on leaving the home side’s bench fuming.

A few minutes later, Hotto was once involved in a good attack by the Buccaneers. The Namibian played a very good ball for Kabelo Dlamini, but he couldn’t connect with shit while facing the poles.

Instead, with Galaxy having been persisting and looking to bounce back into the game. The hosts finally found the breakthrough from a corner-kick with a well taken header by Given Msimango just before the 40th minute.

Just before half-time, Galaxy came very strongly on Pirates looking to get in front for the first time in the game. However, Bucs defender Thabiso Monyane made the teams go into the break level. 
With the game tied on 1-1, the second half was always going to be enterprising with a lead being on top of either team’s players.

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It was the visitors who would go on to get the lead – for the second time in the game as Hotto scored from close range in the 58thminute. Galaxy didn’t lose hope as they kept on fight. They tried their luck with Orebotse Mongae in the 73rd minute, but Sipho Chaine made a good save to keep Pirates in the driver’s seat and ensure that they won in the end.