Orlando Pirates secured a 2-0 home win over Durban City on Thursday to continue their strong start to the Premier Soccer League season. Goals from Lebone Seema and Tshepang Moremi in the second half were enough for the Buccaneers, who now have 13 points from five unbeaten games. This win extends their recent form to four wins and a draw from their last five matches.
Manager Abdel Ouaddou's side dominated possession with 63 percent and created 18 shots to Durban City's six. The visitors' defensive approach, using a 5-3-2 formation, was broken down after the interval. Seema opened the scoring in the 57th minute, heading home from a Kabelo Kgosietsile cross. Moremi doubled the advantage twelve minutes later, finishing after good work from Simphiwe Masilela.
Match control
The first half was a cagey affair, with the only notable action being a series of yellow cards. Orlando Pirates' Mthetheleli Mthiyane was booked for a foul after just seven minutes. Durban City collected three cautions before the break, for Jean Lwamba, B. Poggenpoel and K. Jurgens. The home side's control was reflected in the stats, with 11 corners won and eight shots on target forcing six saves from visiting keeper F. Asare.
Ouaddou made five substitutions in the second period, introducing Sebastian Pedersen, Simphiwe Selepe, Oswin Appollis, Bheki Mabuza and Mpho Padime to see out the game. The result leaves Orlando Pirates firmly in second place in the standings, seven points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. They will look to continue this momentum in their next fixture, a home match against Cape Town Spurs scheduled for next Wednesday.
With 12 goals scored and just one conceded this campaign, the Buccaneers have the best defensive record in the division. Top scorer Oswin Appollis, who came off the bench against Durban City, will be looking to add to his tally of two goals for the season.
Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine made his 150th appearance for the club in the 2-0 win over Durban City, the club confirmed. Chaine denied Tylo Sanger in a one-on-one situation early in the match. The club's official update also noted a 50th-minute chance for Kamogelo Sebelebele and a goal-line clearance to deny Y. Mbuthuma before Lebone Seema's opener. Orlando Pirates now have 16 points from six games, sitting second in the Premier Soccer League.
Tshepang Moremi's goal against Durban City was his third of the league season, the club's match reporting confirmed. The forward is now Orlando Pirates' top scorer this campaign. The Buccaneers have 16 points from six games, sitting four points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns with two matches in hand. Their next fixture is away to Marumo Gallants on September 20.
