Orlando Pirates moved up to second spot in the Absa Premiership after claiming a late 1-0 victory over Black Leopards at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

Josef Zinnbauer’s side welcomed back in-form striker Gabadinho Mhango, who returns from suspension, while the likes of Linda Mntambo and Thabiso Monyane makes the starting lineup.

The Buccaneers got off to a good start and nearly opened the scoring in the eighth minute but Gabadinho Mhango’s close-range effort deflected just wide of the target.

Thabo Matlaba has a great chance to put his side ahead but the former Pirates man blazed his effort over the target.

Wayne Sandilands was called into action in the 31st minute when he produced a fine one-hand save to keep out Gyimah’s header.

Luvuyo Memela should’ve have handed his side the lead when he unleashed a powerful striker just inside the Leopards half but his effort flew just over the crossbar.

Mogakolodi Ngele came even closer just before the break when his curling free-kick crashed off the woodwork.

Neither side were able to break the deadlock as the game went into the half-time break locked at 0-0.

Rotshidzwa Muleka came to his sides rescue early in the second half when he produced a fine save at the near post to keep out Vincent Pule’s effort.

Pule and Thembinkosi Lorch should have put Pirates ahead but the attackers hit the woodwork in quick succession.

Zinnbauer made a double substitution in the 82nd minute when Thembinkosi Lorch and Siphesihle Ndlovu was replaced by Kabelo Dlamini and Austin Muwowo.

Thabiso Mokoena had a chance to grab the lead for Leopards a minute later when he latched on to a loose ball before firing his effort wide of the target.

Pirates eventually broke the deadlock in stoppage time when Thabiso Mokoena deflected Pule’s cross into his own net.

The Buccaneers managed to hold on to their lead over Leopards until the final whistle to claim all three points on away from home to extend their unbeaten run in the league to 10 matches.