Orlando Pirates took a step closer to their ultimate goal of finishing the DStv Premiership season in second place after beating SuperSport United 1-0 at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening.
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It was a match that Pirates coach Jose Riveiro was determined to have, and he was happy with the win as he aims to finish second in the league to qualify for the Caf Champions League.
Pirates remain in third place on the log with 37 points, just two points behind SuperSport, who are in second place with 39 points after 23 games.
The Buccaneers were the better side in attack in the first half, with the home side spending most of the time in the SuperSport half. But despite having the ball in their favor they could not make it count as most of the chances went to waste, when SuperSport tried to find their feet.
Pirates’ first real chance came in the 20th minute after Monnapule Saleng saw Kermit Erasmus inside the box, but the striker’s shot was blocked by the United defence.
SuperSport struggled to create any real chances, but had a glorious chance when Zakhele Lepasa was put through on goal with only the keeper to beat, but he shot wide.
Pirates would go on to finish the first half stronger than Matsatsantsa, but they could not find the back of the net as the tie went into the break goalless.
In the second half, Pirates again started the threat, as Saleng had a chance to score, but his shot went wide in the 51st minute, before Innocent Maela’s dangerous cross inside the box, but Thembinkosi Lorch was late for the ball. .
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SuperSport also came close to scoring after Grant Magerman played a delicious ball inside the box, but no SuperSport player tried to score in the 69th minute. Saleng was fouled inside the box and earned a penalty for the Bucs in the 78th minute.
Defender Tapelo Xoki stepped up to take the spot-kick and he made no mistake as he beat Ricardo Goss on the left to ensure Pirates walked away with three points on the day.