Orlando Pirates went to the top of the Betway Premiership with a 2-0 away win over Durban City on Saturday, scoring on either side of halftime with quality goals from Evidence Makgopa and Patrick Maswanganyi.
The result lifted the Buccaneers to 28 points, three more than defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, to whom they have finished runners-up in the last three seasons.
Here are the talking points from the match:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
“We came here with a clear objective to win it, but it was difficult at first. We faced a strong Durban City side with a high pressing approach. We are happy to be top of the log, but there are five months to go and we have to stay humble,” said Abdeslam Ouaddou after the game.
Pirates and Sundowns have both played 12 games, but Pirates are not playing midweek because of the Telkom Knockout final against Marumo Gallants on Saturday while Sundowns do have a game on Wednesday, which means Pirates’ stay at the top could be a brief one, although they have a game in hand when the league resumes in mid-January.
LUCKY LET-OFF
Pirates were sloppy at the back at times in the first half and were pressed by an enthusiastic home side, which forced them into mistakes.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi, back in the line-up with his transfer to Chicago Fire still to be settled, got caught and gave Durban City their best chance of the game which they spurned.
Nkosinathi Sibisi was also caught as Pirates were cavalier with the ball at the back. It is something that Gallants will look at when they plan for next Saturday’s final.
CLEAN SHEET
It was a third clean sheet in a row for the Buccaneers and their five goals conceded is the best defensive record in the league.
Last season’s defensive lapses costs Pirates dearly, notably in the semifinal of the African Champions League.
They were undone in the air in particular, but it is a department that Ouaddou looks to have worked hard on and seemingly fixed.
HUNT FELT HIS SIDE SHOULD HAVE WON
Although Pirates were far the better side over the 90 minutes and full value for their victory, Gavin Hunt felt his side could have won.
“I didn’t think it was a fair result. We could have been three or four goals to the good in the first half. I was disappointed with the result. We put a lot into the game and got nothing out. We deserved more.”
MASWANGANYI YELLOW CARD
A fourth caution of the season for Patrick Maswanganyi means he is suspended for the Carling Knockout final in Polokwane.
It was an unnecessary card for the midfielder, who could have had a chance of starting the game in Polokwane next week with Sipho Mbule likely being rested in Durban so that he could be fresh for the clash against Gallants.