Orlando Pirates moved up to second place in the DStv Premiership standings for a couple of hours at least after beating Richards Bay 2-0 at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Terrence Dzvukamanja's fourth goal of the season gave Jose Riveiro's side the lead on 32 minutes and Monnapule Saleng sealed the victory late on which took them above SuperSport United, who travel to Chippa United later in the day.
The Natal Rich Boyz's struggles continued as they went an eighth game without a win in the league to remain sixth, just a point ahead of TS Galaxy (7th) and Stellenbosch (8th).
?? FT || @RichardsBayFC_ 0 - 2 @orlandopirates
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) April 1, 2023
?? 32' Dzvukamanja
?? 90'+ Saleng
????????#Matchday #DStvPrem#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/RjUUHa7BjA
Richards Bay came into this clash in Durban looking to snap a worrying five-match losing streak, while Pirates were targeting a third consecutive win to put pressure on SuperSport United in the race for CAF Champions League football.
The visitors almost got off to a flying start when Dzvukamanja forced Marlon Jacobs to parry his shot from inside the box on five minutes and Tapelo Xoki was unable to keep his effort down on the follow-up.
Sipho Chaine was then called into action six minutes later, although Ndiviwe Mdabuka's strike from range was comfortable for the goalkeeper to deal with.
Saleng threatened to break the deadlock just before the half-hour mark with a free-kick from an acute angle on the right that struck the woodwork as the in-form winger attempted to catch out Jacobs at his near post.
But 'The Ghost' were celebrating the opening goal just four minutes later as Dzvukamanja rose above his marker to head Kabelo Dlamini's cross into the bottom left corner of the net.
Bucs were good value for their one-goal lead at the break after creating the majority of the chances in the first half and Thembinkosi Lorch nearly doubled their advantage six minutes after the restart with a shot from inside the area on the right that was kept out by Jacobs.
Saleng was presented with two opportunities in the space of a minute around the hour mark, first testing Jacobs on his weaker right foot after latching onto Lorch's long ball over the top before seeing the keeper punch his deflected effort following another aerial pass from Miguel Timm.
Lorch went close with a shot from inside the box that just cleared the target in the 69th minute after being picked out by Deon Hotto and the winger managed to test Jacobs six minutes later as he raced onto Dzvukamanja's through-ball.
Richards Bay failed to capitalise on a defensive slip moments later which allowed Yamela Mbuthuma in on goal but he was unable to hit the target with Chaine off his line.
After Saleng sent the Natal Rich Boyz a warning with a shot that fizzed over the crossbar from the right on 86 minutes, he wrapped up the win in stoppage time as he turned home a loose ball inside the box.
?? FT || @RichardsBayFC_ 0 - 2 @orlandopirates
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) April 1, 2023
?? 32' Dzvukamanja
?? 90'+ Saleng
?? Man of the Match | Thembinkosi Lorch
????????#Matchday #DStvPrem#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/JwgRoy26mO
Richards Bay 0
Orlando Pirates (1) 2 (Dzvukamanja 32', Saleng 90+2')
Richards Bay: M. Jacobs, R. Dlamini (K. Maphathe 67'), N. Nyauza (S. Msani 75'), S. Mthethwa, T. Mabua, S. Mcineka, S. Ntsundwana, A. Mabaso (M. Mthembu 82'), L. Mhlongo, N. Mdabuka (S. Mthethwa 46'), Y. Mbuthuma.
Orlando Pirates: S. Chaine, P. Mako, N. Sibisi, T. Xoki (S. Mthethwa 90'), I. Maela (B. Shandu 67'), M. Timm, T. Monare, T. Lorch (F. Makaringe 78'), K. Dlamini (D. Hotto 66'), M. Saleng, T. Dzvukamanja (E. Makgopa 78').