Orlando Pirates defeated Chippa United 2-1 in their Absa Premiership encounter at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday night, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.

Kjell Jonevret made two changes from his side that played to a 1-1 draw against Baroka, with Abbubaker Mobara, Thembinkosi Lorch and Thamsanqa Gabuza replacing Gladwin Shitolo, Thabo Rakhale and Tendai Ndoro respectively.

Interim coach Mbuyiselo Sambu made two changes from the side that lost 3-3 to Maritzburg United as Tshwarelo Bereng and Penjie Zulu were handed rare starts for the Chilli Boys.

The encounter got off to a lively start, with both sides intent on attacking each other in the early exchanges.

Chippa were dealt an early blow after Zulu was forced off through injury in the seventh minute, and was subsequently replaced by Zaphaniah Mbokoma.

Chippa gradually got into their rhythm and came close to taking the lead, but Siyabonga Mpontshane produced a great stop to keep out Thamsanqa Sangweni’s thunderous effort in the tenth minute.

The home side eventually broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, after a great acrobatic effort by Thamsanqa Gabuza from Thabo Matlaba’s cross.

A fierce midfield battle ensued as neither side dominated proceedings, but showed flashes of brilliance.

The Chilli Boys equalised on the stroke of halftime when a surging Chippa attack saw Paseka Mako break into the box, before calmly finishing past Mpontshane.

The home side emerged in the second-half with more of an attacking intent and introduced Rakhale for Lorch as they looked to restore the lead.

Pirates were rewarded for their attacking efforts, when Matlaba’s powerful effort wrong-footed goalkeeper Zama Dlamini to make it 2-1.

Chippa threw numbers forward in search of the equaliser, but a mixture of poor-decision making in the final third, coupled with wasteful finishing proved the order of the day as Pirates ran out 2-1 victors to move into the top half of the table.

Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix