Pirates close in on Sundowns as Gallants remain winless

Kabelo Kgositsile © Backpagepix

Orlando Pirates claimed a comfortable 2-0 victory over Marumo Gallants in Sunday afternoon’s Betway Premiership meeting at Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

The victory saw the Buccaneers remain second in the standings, but they reduced Mamelodi Sundowns’ lead to one point. The Buccaneers will play host to TS Galaxy on October 18 as league action continues.

Bahlabane Ba Ntwa, on the other hand, remained 16th in the standings and winless from seven matches. Coach Ronnie Kanalelo will be determined to mastermind Gallants’ first win when they face Sekhukhune United away on October 17.

The Buccaneers pressed Bahlabane Ba Ntwa high as they hunted the opening goal, and it arrived in the 32nd minute when two new faces in coach Abdeslam Ouaddou's side combined to hand the visitors the lead.

Thapelo Mokobodi delivered a ball into the box, Kabelo Kgositsile reacted quickly and fired home his second goal in three matches. Pirates were good value for a narrow 1-0 lead at the interval in Rustenburg.

Eventual Man of the Match Mokobodi, who looked very lively in midfield, tried to put his name on the scoresheet against his former club in the 65th minute, but the 23-year-old was denied by goalkeeper Merlin Lako.

The hard-working midfielder then provided his second assist of the game when Nkosinathi Sibisi led by example as the defender scored in the 74th minute to seal Pirates' well-deserved 2-0 victory over Gallants.

Gallants 0

Pirates (1) 2 (Kgositsile 32', Sibisi 74')

Gallants: Lako, Rikhotso, Ntiya-Ntiya, Sikakane (Ralenkoane 52'), Ncube (Kutumela 72'), Ndlondlo, Lithuli, Seketso (Mohlamme 72'), Otladisa (Moletshe 22'), Injil, Kunene

Pirates: Chaine, Sibisi, Seema, Ndaba (Rapoo 83'), Sebelebele, Mokobodi, Selepe, Masilela (Nemtajela 83'), Kgositsile (Padime 75'), Moremi (Appollis 83'), Mbuthuma (Pedersen 75')

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