Orlando Pirates made it two wins in a row in the DStv Premiership when they claimed a 1-0 victory over SuperSport United at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening.
The win saw Bucs remain third on the league standings - but they are now two points behind second-placed SuperSport and Pirates are scheduled to face Richards Bay on 1 April.
On the other hand, Matsatsantsa's ambitions of securing a top two finish in the league this season took a knock and they are next set to lock horns with Chippa United on 1 April.
Tapelo Xoki’s penalty hands Pirates all three points and reduces the gap to SuperSport to two points with seven matches to go ??#DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/F2BDsz0raX
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) March 18, 2023
Matsatsantsa started brightly and they were looking to expose Bucs' makeshift right-back Paseka Mako who made a crucial block to deny Thapelo Maseko from close range five minutes into the game.
The Buccaneers grew gradually into the match and former Pirates defender Thulani Hlatshwayo produced a world-class block in the 20th minute as he blocked Kermit Erasmus's goal-bound shot from inside the box.
Pirates were attacking through the wings which saw Thembinkosi Lorch force goalkeeper Ricardo Goss into a fabulous diving save with a low cross.
The hosts struggled to penetrate SuperSport's backline after the restart and coach Jose Riveiro decided to introduce Evidence Makgopa, who provided the assist for the winning goal against Venda FA on 11 March, in the 67th minute.
Matsatsantsa looked dangerous on the counter-attack and they had a chance to break the deadlock in the 72nd minute when Ghampani Lungu set-up Patrick Maswanganyi who beat his marker, but keeper Sipho Chaine denied him.
The Buccaneers continued to search for a late goal and they were awarded a penalty after Monnapule Saleng was fouled in the box, and Tapelo Xoki netted from the spot-kick in the 79th minute to seal Pirates' 1-0 win over SuperSport.
A massive goal for Orlando Pirates!
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) March 18, 2023
Tapelo Xoki converts from the spot to open the scoring at the Orlando Stadium?
?? Stream #DStvPrem live: https://t.co/Tg69y0EeUL pic.twitter.com/hSA0HGAqXi
Orlando Pirates 1 (Xoki 79')
SuperSport United 0
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Xoki (Mthethwa 87'), Sibisi, Maela, Mako, Monare (Ndlondlo 87'), Timm, Dlamini (Makaringe 67'), Saleng, Lorch (Marou 76'), Erasmus (Makgopa 67').
SuperSport United: Goss, Ditlhokwe, Hlatshwayo, Johannes, Margeman, Maseko, Ndlovu, Lungu, Maswangayi (Gabuza 82'), Lepasa (Bhasera 62'), Grobler (Niang 88').