Orlando Pirates extended their winning run in the Absa Premiership to four games after claiming a narrow 1-0 victory over AmaZulu at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday, reports DYLAN APPOLIS.
The Buccaneers came into this game on a seven-match unbeaten run in the league after securing a comfortable 3-1 victory over Highlands Park in their previous league encounter.
Meanwhile, Usuthu remained winless in their last three league games after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat by Maritzburg United in the KwaZulu-Natal derby last Friday.
Pirates got off to a good start and had an early chance to take the lead, but Siyabonga Mbatha rushed off his line to thwart Vincent Pule in the area.
Gabadinho Mhango should have handed Pirates the lead in the 13th minute but the in-form striker blazed his effort over the target.
At the other end, Bongi Ntuli had a chance to hand his side the lead in the 17th minute but fired his effort well wide of target.
The Buccaneers had another opportunity to take the lead in the 25th minute, but Bongani Sam blazed his effort off target after receiving a well-weighted ball from Thembinkosi Lorch.
Pirates continued to press forward after 38 minutes as Pule unleashed a strike after finding space to pull the trigger, but the winger’s effort sailed wide of goal.
With a minute left to play until the break, Magubane came close to taking the lead but nothing came of his effort after finding a pocket of space outside the box to fire his effort at goal.
Pirates showed their intent early in the second half and took the lead after 51 minutes when Pule turned home a Lorch cross.
Mbatha came to his side’s rescue in the 61st minute when he produced a superb save to keep out Lorch’s effort from close range.
Coach Josef Zinnbauer made his first substitution in the 72nd minute when Sam was replaced by Paseka Mako.
Usuthu made a change of their own nine minutes later when Lehlohonolo Majoro came on in place of Sphesihle Maduna.
However, Pirates managed to hold on to their narrow lead over Usuthu to claim all three points on home soil.
