A brace from Zakhele Lepasa inspired Orlando Pirates to their first win in the DStv Premiership after securing a thrilling 4-2 victory over Royal AM at the Orlando Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The Buccaneers got off to a slow start with Royal AM producing the first attack of the game but Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine made a crucial stop to cut down the danger coming from the left flank.

Pirates were then awarded a penalty in the 14th minute after Patrick Maswanganyi was brought down inside the box. Zakhele Lepasa stepped up and made no mistake to slot the ball into the net.

The Buccaneers doubled their lead in the 29th minute when Monnapule Saleng received a ball from Phillip Ndlondlo before curling the ball into the net to make it 2-0.

The Sea Robbers added a third goal in the 35th minute when Lepasa completed his brace after latching a long ball from Chaine before slotting the ball past Mpoto.

Royal Am pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time thanks to a goal from Hopewell Cele as the game went into the half time interval.

Pirates had a chance to grab their fourth goal early in the second half but Saleng misfired his effort on goal after he was played through on goal by Mofokeng.

Mondli Mpoto came to his side’s rescue in the 56th minute when he kept out Lepasa’s shot at goal after he linked up with Paseko Mako.

Jose Riveiro opted to make a double substitution just after the hour mark when he introduced Bandile Shandu and Makhehlene Makhaula to replace Monyane and Monare.

Chaine was called into action in the 69th minute when he was perfectly positioned to keep out Mfundo Thikazi’s goal-bound effort.

Riveiro made his third and fourth substitution in the 78th minute when Maswanganyi and Mofokeng came off to be replaced by Fortune Makaringe and Deon Hotto before bringing on Evidence Makgopa to replace Lepasa in the 86th minute.

Royal AM pulled a goal back in the 88th minute when Mxolisi Macuphu found the back of the net to reduce the deficit to 3-2 with two minutes left to play.

But Shandu restored Pirates’ two-goal lead deep in stoppage time when he latched on to a delightful ball from Ndlondlo to calmly slot the ball home.

Photo by Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix