Early blitz leads Pirates past City in Orlando

Orlando Pirates scored twice in the opening five minutes to set up a 2-0 win over Cape Town City in a 2020-21 DStv Premiership encounter at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Deon Hotto and Vincent Pule were the goalscorers for Pirates who subsequently moved up to fourth on the league standings, level on points with both SuperSport United and Swallows FC above them. City remain sixth, five points behind the Buccaneers who have played two games more.

Pirates found the back of the net in the opening minute. Fortune Makaringe played a perfectly weighted ball in behind the Citizens defensive line and into the path of Hotto who timed his run to perfection before firing a left-footed finish past Peter Leeuwenburgh with 46 seconds on the clock.

Pirates lead after 46 seconds ??

Deon Hotto is played in behind and slots home to hand Pirates the lead in the opening minute.

Watch live: https://t.co/bw5ULpVfPO#DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/1rgG9IvLVO

— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) February 9, 2021

The Buccaneers doubled their lead in the fifth minute. Thembinkosi Lorch teed up Pule who converted from close range for his third goal against City this season.

The hosts were forced into an early change as Thabang Monare had to leave the field following a head collision with teammate Siphesihle Ndlovu, who was able to finish the encounter.

Jan Olde Riekerink introduced Mpho Makola for Tashreeq Morris following the interval in an attempt to find a way into the match, but the former Pirates midfielder was unable to make an impact before too leaving the field with an injury just after the hour mark.

City finally conjured a note-worthy chance in the 77th minute following a miscued clearance by Richard Ofori but Thabo Nodada failed to hit the target after being expertly set up by Bradley Ralani.

Pirates should've put the match beyond any reasonable doubt in the 88th minute but Leeuwenburgh made two fine saves to deny Lorch and Hotto who could've easily bagged a few more on the night, but it mattered little as the Soweto giants claimed all three points.

Orlando Pirates move up one spot into fourth with their 2-0 victory over Cape Town City, courtesy of goals from Deon Hotto and Vincent Pule.#DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/3498Z1oemI

— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) February 9, 2021

Orlando Pirates (2) 2 (Hotto 1' Pule 5')
Cape Town City (0) 0

Orlando Pirates: Ofori; Mako, Jele, Hlatshwayo, Ndlovu, Monare (Mntambo 36'), Motshwari, Makaringe, Hotto, Pule (Sesane 89'), Lorch.

Cape Town City: Leeuwenburgh; Mashego (Shonga 79'), Fielies, Cupido (Mobara 64'), Martin, Mokeke, Nodada, Lakay, Ralani (Zulu 79'), Mdantsane, Morris (Makola 46') [Roberts 64'].