At the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale, Golden Arrows hosted Orlando Pirates in a rescheduled Round 8 Premier Soccer League clash on Sunday afternoon.
Abafana bes'thende entered the match on the worst possible form having endured five straight losses; four in the league, and one in the Carling Knockout.
On the other hand, Pirates started the game in fine form and were clear favourites to come out on top after registering four wins and a draw in their last five league outings.
The visitors made their favourite tag count as they defeated Golden Arrows 1-2 at the Mpumalanga Stadium in an exciting affair.
☠️ FT || @goldenarrowsfc1 1 – 2 @orlandopirates
🥅 30' (P) Maswanganyi
🥅 56' Kimvuidi⚫️⚪️🔴⭐️#Matchday #DStvPrem#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/rWHuQGM8Wp
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) December 17, 2023
Golden Arrows vs Orlando Pirates: How it happened
It was an end-to-end affair from both teams in the first half an hour as these sides searched for an opener to cushion their good start to hostilities.
However, it was the Buccaneers who first sent the ball into the back of the net in the 30th minute as Patrick Maswanganyi opened the scoring from the penalty spot after a foul on Karim Kimvuidi.
Maswanganyi could have gotten his second of the day five minutes later as charged towards the penalty area before unleashing a shot which was blocked.
Arrows staged a comeback as they got a penalty of their own after a good surge into the Pirates' area which Ryan Moon drew a foul. Up went Nduduzo Sibiya who converted to restore parity for the hosts.
Penalty apiece saw both teams go into the break inseparable in an exciting first-half of football.
Efficient Orlando Pirates post their 7th win of the league season
Pirates started the second half the hungrier of the two sides as Evidence Makgopa found the back of the net in the 55th minute but he was ruled offside.
The Bucs continued to advance forward in quest to restore their lead a few minutes later. And Cometh the hour cometh the man, as Karim Kimvuidi gave Jose Riveiro's side a deserved lead for the second time in the 56th minute.
Both sides sought for more inspiration from the bench with changes made: For the homeside, Lungelo Nguse came on for Ryan Moon; whereas Thembinkosi Lorch and Zakhele Lerato Lepasa entered the action in place of Maswanganyi and the injured Makgopa respectively.
Riveiro's men saw out the game in brilliant fashion as they kept their composure, maintained possession and avoided mistakes.
With a job well done, Orlando Pirates finished the game on top with 62% ball possession and 3 shots on target from 12 attempts. While Arrows managed 38% ball possession and 1 shot on target from 5 attempts.
Where the result leaves both teams on the PSL table
With their fifth win in six matches, Orlando Pirates climbed up to 3rd on the standings; they've now registered 7 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses after 14 league games.
Golden Arrows, meanwhile, remained in 7th place after picking up their 6th loss of the PSL campaign.
Golden Arrows vs Orlando Pirates confirmed lineups
Golden Arrows: Mlungwana, Cross, Mantshiyane, Shitolo, Tlolane, Theron, Van Rooi, Moon, Ndwandwe, Sibiya, Zwane.
Subs: Watenga, Zuke, Ncube, Dlamini, Motloung, Ndlovu, Dube, Mutizwa, Nguse.
Orlando Pirates: Buthelezi, Sibisi, Ndah, Hotto, Timm, Ndlondlo, Maswanganyi, Otladisa, Makaringe, Kimvuidi, Makgopa.
Subs: Ofori, Xoki, Monare, Baloni, Mofokeng, Dlamini, Saleng, Lepasa, Lorch.
This article was most recently revised and updated 12 months ago
