Orlando Pirates secure crucial win to reclaim top spot from Mamelodi Sundowns

Orlando Pirates know they are masters of their own destiny, and all it will take for them to win the Betway Premiership title this season is securing good results – sometimes over impressive performance.

At a chilly Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night, Pirates beat Richards Bay 2-0 to move to the top of the log standings on 47 points, level with champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who trail on an inferior goal difference.

It was the second game in a row that Pirates secured the win without being pretty, having achieved the same feat in the 2-1 victory over Polokwane City in the last league clash. 

With Pirates' next game scheduled for Orlando on Saturday, they will hope to produce an improved performance with the same result as they continue their title charge.

Tuesday's result was even more important in the greater scheme of things as it served as a tribute to Charles "Makhalanjalo" Fantsi, a former staunch supporter of the club, who sadly passed on this week.

Clearly under pressure after losing the summit spot to Sundowns the night before, Pirates took the game to the visitors through pace and aggression.

As such, it wasn’t long before Thalente Mbatha fired a shot, forcing a save out of goalkeeper Ian Otieno. Mbatha and some of the internationals in the team seem to understand that they need to show their experience and lead from the front, as Deon Hotto also had a shot at goal from a set-piece, forcing a save out of Otieno.

Despite a few misplaced passes, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos – set to announce his final squad for the two World Cup preparation matches against Panama in Durban and Cape Town City later this month – must have been pleased with his players’ desire.

Through their resilience, the players combined to find the lead, which eventually proved to be the winner. Relebohile Mofokeng put Sebelebele through on goal with a cheeky pass. The wing-back controlled with a cut-back, which Appollis latched onto and rattled past Otieno.

Pirates’ sloppiness made Richards Bay relevant in some moments as they easily controlled the tempo of the game through winning second balls in their own half.

 With Sipho Chaine having largely been a spectator in the first half, after only making one save, his defence was kept on its toes in the later part of the game as Richards Bay sniffed a possible equaliser.

 Schoolboy errors, particularly from captain Nkosinathi Sibisi, who was sluggish both in play and commanding of his defence, nearly let Pirates down, while Mofokeng had a chance to wrap up the win, only for his shot to hit the crossbar.

Referee Masixole Bambiso made the result look comfortable for Pirates after he adjudged a foul on Tshepang Moremi inside the box, whereas replays showed that there was minimal contact. Evidence Makgopa took the responsibility and sent Otieno the wrong way to double the lead.

In the end, Pirates hung on for three invaluable points which has seen them leapfrog Sundowns to the top spot, keeping their title charge intact.