In a thrilling encounter at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday night, the Orlando Pirates edged past Lamontville Golden Arrows with a 2-1 victory, securing three valuable points in the Betway Premiership. This win not only marked back-to-back away victories for the Buccaneers but also propelled them over the 50-point mark in the current league campaign, with 23 matches now played.
The match began with a flurry of action as the home side, Golden Arrows, came out strong, putting the Pirates' defense under immense pressure right from the start. Goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi was called into action early, making crucial saves to deny Nhlanhla Zwane and Velemseni Ndwandwe within the first three minutes. Buthelezi's quick reflexes kept the score level as he thwarted a threatening cross and a well-placed shot from the left flank.
Despite the early onslaught from the Arrows, the Pirates began to find their rhythm. Bandile Shandu had a chance to put the visitors ahead but failed to convert after a clever flick from Patrick Maswanganyi. As the first half progressed, it was evident that the Arrows were dominating possession, camping inside the Buccaneers' half and creating several scoring opportunities. However, Buthelezi remained resolute, making a comfortable save from a deflected shot by Zwane around the half-hour mark.
As the teams headed into halftime, the score remained deadlocked at 0-0, with both sides unable to capitalize on their chances. The Pirates, however, came out with renewed vigor after the break, and it took just six minutes for them to break the deadlock. In the 51st minute, Kabelo Dlamini delivered a brilliant defense-splitting pass to Maswanganyi, who rounded goalkeeper Edward Maova and slotted the ball into the net with his left foot, giving the Pirates a 1-0 lead.
But the joy was short-lived for the Buccaneers. Just eight minutes later, in the 59th minute, the Arrows found an equalizer through Siyanda Mthanti, who scored on the near post after connecting with a cross from Ndwandwe, leveling the match at 1-1. The Pirates, however, were determined to regain their lead, and they did so in the 72nd minute when Tshegofatso Mabasa found the back of the net, thanks to an assist from Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
The goal marked a pivotal moment in the match, with Mabasa volleying the ball into the net to make it 2-1. The Pirates had a chance to extend their lead further when Dlamini set up Mabasa again in the dying moments, but the striker's attempt went narrowly wide. Buthelezi was called upon once more late in injury time, diving low to keep out a shot that could have denied the visitors maximum points.
With this victory, the Orlando Pirates continue to build momentum as they prepare for their upcoming Nedbank Cup final against their arch-rivals, Kaizer Chiefs. Coach Jose Riveiro, who made several changes to the starting lineup by resting regulars like Relebohile Mofokeng and Sipho Chaine, praised the club's development system, highlighting the contributions of young talents like Maswanganyi and Mabasa.
"The club is doing fantastic in the development," Riveiro said, expressing his satisfaction with the performance of his younger players. The coach's faith in his squad paid off as they managed to secure a vital win while also resting key players ahead of the crucial cup final.
As the Pirates look forward to the Nedbank Cup final, they will be buoyed by their recent performances and the depth of talent within their squad. The team's ability to adapt and perform under pressure will be essential as they face the Chiefs, a match that always promises high stakes and fierce competition.
In the aftermath of the game, the Pirates' victory over the Arrows serves as a reminder of their resilience and determination. With the league season entering its final stretch, every point counts, and the Buccaneers are showing they have what it takes to compete at the highest level.
As the dust settles on this exciting clash, fans will be eagerly anticipating the upcoming final, hoping for another display of skill and tenacity from their beloved Pirates.
