Lepasa and Maswanganyi inspire Orlando Pirates to easy win

Orlando Pirates hosted Cape Town City at the Orlando Stadium in a Premier Soccer League round 5 encounter on Wednesday evening.

Tapelo Xoki, Bandile Shandu, Relebohile Mofokeng, Thabang Monare and Monnapule Saleng all returned to the starting lineup following the Bucs CAF Champions League win against Djabal last week.

The Buccaneers however, continued their fine form as goals from in-form striker Zakhele Lepasa and Patrick Maswanganyi either side of the half gave Jose Riveiro's side a 2-0 win over Cape Town City.

☠️ FT || @orlandopirates 2 – 0 @CapeTownCityFC

🥅 9' @Lepasazakhele
🥅 75' Maswanganyi

⚫️⚪️🔴⭐️#Matchday #DStvPrem #OrlandoPirates #OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/eQWd9FDuMt

— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) August 29, 2023

The result means that Pirates now have two wins in four Premier Soccer League games this season.

Here is how the match unfolded!

Zakhele Lepasa strike sent Orlando Pirates ahead at half-time

The match began with urgency from the host who didn't take much time to show their true intentions for the encounter.

Red-hot striker Lepasa put the Buccaneers noses in front after he worked an angle on the edge of the area to shield the lurking Keanu Cupido before sending a brilliant shot into the top corner to make it 1-0 in the 9th minute.

Soon after, the visitors had a chance to draw level from a freekick in a decent position, but Taahir Goedeman wasn't able to make the most of the opportunity for Cape Town City.

Philip Ndlondlo in action for Orlando Pirates — Credit: Icon Sport

The visitors continued with their intentions to level matters up as Tshegofatso Nyama threatened Orlando Pirates goal with a rasping volley after a good delivery from the left as the match was getting close to halftime, however Sipho remained unbeaten at his goal post.

The last chance of the half went to Lepasa who could have doubled his tally for the evening from a loose ball opportunity, but the striker misfired his initial attempt and also had his follow up shot blocked before the whistle came to end the half.

Patrick Maswanganyi doubled the lead for Orlando Pirates

Jose Riveiro made a change at the start of the second half, bringing on captain Innocent Maela in place of Sibisi.

Cape Town City themselves introduced Marc Van Heerden and Katlego Mokhuoane as they tried to bring themselves back to level terms.

Around the midway phase of the skirmish, Cape Town City could have restored parity from an effort coming in from Mayo but the alert Sipho Chaine parried it away.

The Bucs, noticing City's intentions to draw level, extended their lead in the 75th minute as Patrick Maswanganyi found space to score his second goal, in space of some days, from a Deon Hotto's cross.

Players in action, Orlando Pirates vs Cape Town City — Credit: Icon Sport

That goal was enough for Orlando Pirates to see off a comfortable win and bring themselves to the top five. While for Cape Town City, the losing streak continued to four straight games.