Orlando Pirates earned an impressive 2-0 victory over Durban City FC in the Betway Premiership on Thursday evening.
Both sides were playing catch-up following their continental commitments, and it showed early on. It took the teams some time to find their stride back on the domestic scene after a busy weekend on the continent.
The hosts dominated possession initially but struggled to break down a stubborn City defence during the opening exchanges.
In fact, it was City who came closest to drawing first blood when Tylo Sangare squandered a glorious chance from close range, denied by a superb Sipho Chaine save.
With the doors firmly shut, Pirates were forced to try their luck from distance, but both Mthetheleli Mthiyane and Yanela Mbuthuma failed to hit the target. City should have gone into the break ahead, but Chaine was on hand once again to block Jean Lumumba from close range.
Pirates came out for the second half with renewed intensity and finally broke the deadlock just before the hour mark. Lebone Seema met a Kabelo Kgosietsile corner with an expert header that rattled the back of the net.
The Buccaneers doubled their advantage in the 70th minute through Tshepang Moremi, who unleashed a brilliant top corner finish after some fine work down the left flank by Simphiwe Masilela.
That is how it finished in Orlando, with the hosts securing a 2-0 win that moves them within four points of log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns with two games in hand.
The defeat drops Durban City down to 11th place on the table, having picked up six points from as many league matches.
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
