Orlando Pirates Defeat Richards Bay 1-0 to Stay Unbeaten in ...
Orlando Pirates continued their impressive start to the 2024-25 Betway Premiership season, securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Richards Bay FC on Sunday afternoon at the King Zwelithini Stadium. A sublime free-kick from substitute Kabelo Dlamini in the 82nd minute was enough to hand the Buccaneers their third consecutive win, allowing them to keep pace with league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the table, both on nine points .
Pirates entered the match with confidence, having won their first two league matches and boasting a perfect record across all competitions. However, the encounter against Richards Bay was far from straightforward. The Natal Rich Boyz, determined to defend their home turf, put up a solid defensive performance throughout the first half, frustrating the Buccaneers’ attack .
Early Controversy and Richards Bay’s Resilience
The match started with an early moment of controversy, as Orlando Pirates’ defender Thabiso Sesane narrowly escaped a red card in the 9th minute. Following a defensive slip, Sesane pulled down Justice Figuareido as the Richards Bay forward looked poised to break through on goal. Referee Victor Hlungwani opted for a yellow card, much to the dismay of the home fans, who felt the incident warranted harsher punishment .
Despite Richards Bay showing flashes of attacking intent, the first half saw few clear-cut chances for either side. Pirates enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but struggled to break down the resilient defensive structure of the home team. Ian Otieno, the Richards Bay goalkeeper, was rarely troubled during the first 45 minutes .
Pirates’ Persistence Pays Off
The second half saw Pirates raise the tempo, with Relebohile Mofokeng and Deon Hotto leading the charge. In the 62nd minute, Otieno was called into action, making a superb double save to deny Mofokeng and Hotto. Despite these chances, the Buccaneers remained locked in a stalemate, with Richards Bay occasionally threatening on the counterattack .
It wasn’t until the 82nd minute that Orlando Pirates’ persistence finally paid off. Kabelo Dlamini, who had been introduced as a substitute in the second half, stepped up to take a free kick from just outside the box. His beautifully struck shot flew past a helpless Otieno, nestling into the back of the net to give Pirates the lead .
Richards Bay pushed for an equaliser in the dying minutes, introducing more attacking options in the form of Thabani Dube and Siboniso Conco, but Pirates’ defence, marshalled by Sipho Chaine and captain Innocent Maela, held firm to secure all three points .
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Orlando Pirates maintained their perfect start to the season and remain unbeaten across all competitions. The win also serves as a boost ahead of their upcoming MTN8 final against Stellenbosch FC, where they will look to secure silverware early in the season .
Richards Bay, meanwhile, will look to regroup after suffering their second defeat of the league campaign. Currently sitting in ninth place with four points from four matches, they face a critical period as they prepare to host Stellenbosch FC in their next Premiership fixture .
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