Pirates rout Richards Bay to move second on the log

Orlando Pirates continued with their winning run after the Fifa break as they edged Richards Bay 2-0 in a DStv Premiership clash at the King Zwelithi Stadium on Saturday. 

A goal in each half from Terrence Dzvukamanja and Monnapule Saleng secured maximum points for Pirates, as they beat the Natal Rich Boys for the first time having played to a goalless draw in their first ever meeting last year in October 

Pirates might have been away team in this clash, but they looked stronger than their opponents as they created much more chances. 

Dzvukamanja could have gotten a goal for Bucs as early as the five minutes, but Richards Bay goalkeeper Marlon Jacobs made a great save, before Tapelo Xoki his shot from the rebound above the bar. 

Richards Bays also made an attempt through striker Somalia Ntsundwana, but Sipho Chaine made a good save. 

Monnapule Saleng and Thembinkosi Lorch were great on attack for the Buccaneers, with chance after chance falling in for the visitors, but they just couldn’t extend their lead. 

Pirates long awaited goal would only come two minutes after the half hour mark, through Dzuvukamanja, who headed in a well timed Kabelo Dlamini’a cross. 

The away side would go into the break in the lead, but the hosts weren’t taking any prisoners. 

Pirates looked more eager for a second in the second half, with their attack especially Lorch and Saleng making a lot of threats, but they just couldn’t get a breakthrough. 

The second half time was more of the same thing from first half, with both teams creating good looking goal scoring chances. 

And in the 77th minute, the home side should have gotten an equaliser after Mbuthuma found himself with an open net, but his lobbed ball went just wide. 

Jose Riveiro’s charges sealed the victory after some sloppy defending in additional time and Saleng took advantage and slotted the ball into the back of the net and to take Bucs closer to second place finish on the league standings. 

The Soweto based team are now in 40 points after 24 games, while Richards Bay continue to struggle despite their good start in the season and they are based in sixth place with 30 points.