Orlando Pirates continued their surge for glory at the top of the Betway Premiership table this week following a spirited 1-0 win against Richards Bay FC at the Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night.
Evidence Makgopa’s 26th minute strike saw the Soweto giants claim their seventh consecutive win in the league this season and, in turn, maintained their position at the top of the pile.
It's a new club record for Pirates in the PSL era 🔥🔥
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) November 5, 2024
The Buccaneers maintain their 100% start to the #BetwayPrem season with a seventh consecutive win ☠️⚽ pic.twitter.com/Sc5dO6NzaP
The game was evenly matched during the first five minutes, as Pirates and Richards Bay battled to win possession of the ball early on.
It was the Natal Rich Boyz who eventually won that duel but did little to trouble the Soweto giants' defence line.
Pirates struggled to string passes together during the first 15 minutes of the game and were left frustrated by Richards Bay’s aggression off the ball.
However, the Buccaneers began seeing more of the ball midway through the first half and managed to take the lead with 26 minutes on the clock.
Following a well-constructed passing move en-route to the opposition area, Thabiso Monyane let off a shot that was fumbled by Ian Otieno in goal as Makgopa reacted quickly with a finish from close range.
Evidence Makgopa ☠️💥
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) November 5, 2024
Pirates open the scoring at Orlando Stadium 👇
📺 Stream #BetwayPrem live: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc@Betway_za pic.twitter.com/AWtrEfLL8M
Richards Bay began labouring toward the halftime break and were unable to keep possession for prolonged periods as a result of Pirates’ forward pressure.
The referee called time on the first 45 with Makgopa’s effort separating the two teams in Orlando.
It was all Pirates after the restart; however, the home side were unable to create any notable scoring opportunities up until the 60 minute mark.
With Richards Bay under the cosh, Brandon Truter’s men were reduced to hitting Pirates on the break as their primary source of attack.
Jose Riveiro’s men were often let down by poor finishing after an hour played at the Orlando Stadium while Richards Bay were presented with a couple of goal-scoring chances of their own.
The game opened up after the 80th minute as the end-to-end football excited fans in the stadium.
Somila Ntsundwana looked lively during the closing stages of the match and was of the thought that he was fouled inside the area in the 78th minute, however, the referee swiftly restarted the encounter.
In the end, the Sea Robbers did enough to see out the game unscathed as they maintained their 100 per cent-win record in the Betway Premiership.
Orlando Pirates: (1) 1 (Makgopa 26’)
Richards Bay FC: (0) 0
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Monyane, Sesane, Sibisi, Hotto, Mbatha, Makhaula (Dlamini 46’), Nkota (Saleng 74’), Maswanganyi, Mofokeng (Mako 92’), Makgopa (Mabasa 74’)
Richards Bay FC: Otieno, Mabua, Mcineka, Gcaba (Dube 56’), Ndaba, Mthembu (Gumede 80’), Mthethwa, Ntsundwana (Sibanyoni 92’), Sithebe (Figuareido 46’), Mabuya, Bomelo (Zikhali 46’)