Saleng-inspired Pirates overcome Arrows

Orlando Pirates claimed a comfortable 2-0 win over Lamontville Golden Arrows in a DStv Premiership match at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Tuesday night.

The win saw the Buccaneers move up to the fourth spot on the league standings ahead of their MTN8 semifinal second-leg clash against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.

Abafana Bes'thende remained eighth on the standings and they are scheduled to battle it out with Royal AM in a KwaZulu-Natal derby encounter on 25 October.

The Buccaneers attacked the Abafana Bes'thende defence with speed with Monnapule Saleng and Kermit Erasmus causing havoc for the hosts' backline with their sharp movement and good combinations.

The deadlock was broken in the sixth minute when Saleng netted his first-ever goal for the Soweto giants to hand Pirates a 1-0 lead with Erasmus providing the assist after a good move.

Arrows' slow defence was struggling to contain the attack-minded duo who combined again to make it 2-0 to Pirates in the 24th minute as Saleng scored with a low shot and the Buccaneers were deservingly leading at the interval.

Sbonelo Cele was introduced by Abafana Bes'thende prior to the start of the second half as the hosts looked to fight back with Nduduzo Sibiya looking lively and the attacker unleashed a shot which missed the target in the 50th minute.

With the hosts pushing for their first goal of the match, Pirates coach Jose Riveiro reacted by making changes as the Spanish tactician introduced Paseka Mako and Zakhele Lepasa with 24 minutes left on the clock.

The momentum was with Arrows in the latter stages of the game, but they couldn't keep their shots on target and ultimately, the match ended in a 2-0 win in favour of Pirates.

Arrows (0) 0
Pirates (2) 2 (Saleng 6', 24')

Arrows: Gumede, Ndlovu, Mantshiyane, Zuke, Lunga (Khumalo 58'), Magawana (Cele 46'), Dube (Nkosi 70'), Dlamini, Mmodi, Sibiya, Ndwandwe.

Pirates: Mpontshane, Monyane (Makgaka 90'), Hotto, Maela (Mako 66'), Sibisi, Ndah, Timm (Motshwari 59'), Dlamini (Makaringe 59'), Ndlondlo, Saleng, Erasmus (Lepasa 66').