Orlando Pirates ended the year on a positive note after securing a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Black Leopards at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

Josef Zinnbauer made two changes to his side that drew 2-2 against Baroka as Augustine Mulenga and Kabelo Dlamini came in for Fortune Makaringe and Paseka Mako.

Lidoda Duvha nearly broke the deadlock in the fifth minute when Lesedi Kapinga unleashed a strike from outside the box, which forced Wayne Sandilands into making a fine save to deny the Leopards man.

However, it was the hosts who found the breakthrough in the 21st minute when Innocent Maela found the net from inside the area after the ball took a slight deflection off of Chris Katjiukua.

Vincent Pule nearly doubled his sides lead with six minutes left until the break but his first-time volley forced an acrobatic save out of the Leopards shot-stopped.

The home side went into the half time break with a one-goal lead over Leopards.

Zibnbauer opted to make an early change in the second half when he introduced Luvuyo Memela, who came on to replace Dlamini.

Thuso Phala should’ve have levelled matters in the 56th minute after he was played through on goal but the striker was unable to find the target.

Leopards eventually levelled matters four minutes later when Mwape Musonda found the net with a clinical finish into the bottom corner.

Mhango then put his side ahead in the 63rd minute when he found the far corner with a neat finish.

The home side we’re then awarded a penalty in the 72nd minute. Mhango stepped up and made no mistake from the spot-kick to make it 3-1.

Leopards should have pulled a goal back with eight minutes remaining but Matlaba and Kapinga was unable to direct the efforts towards the target.

Pirates held on to their lead until the final whistle to collect all three points on home soil.