PIRATES MAKES IT BACK TO BACK WINS IN BETWAY PREM

Written by: Kamogelo Mogale

Orlando Pirates made it back to back wins in their Betway premiership campaign when they defeated Polokwane City 3-0 at the Orlando Pirates on Tuesday afternoon. Pirates had many efforts on goal in the first half but struggled to get an effort on target before in-form winger Monnapule Saleng found the back of the net for the Buccaneers just 10 minutes after the break while substitute Evidence Makgopa pounced on schoolboy errors by Rise and Shine goalkeeper Manuel Sapunga to score a brace to secure Pirates a vital home win, making it two wins out of two in their league campaign.

The Sea-Robbers are having a week to remember as the Polokwane City victory comes at the back of their CAF Champions’ League group stage qualification on Saturday with a 1-0 victory over Botswana Premier League outfit Jwaneng Galaxy, winning 3-0 on aggregate to join Mamelodi Sundowns, the country’s most successful continental competitors competing together for the first time since the 2018-19 season in the continent’s interclub competition.

The Buccaneers came to the match having not tasted a defeat in eight games they had played across all competitions. Meanwhile, Rise and Shine opened the season with a victory over Amazulu in the league outing. Speaking before the media after the match, Bucs coach Jose Riveiro says he’s happy with his players who come from the bench and being game changers.

“I’m happy and they know with the contribution from the bench one more time. It was crucial in Botswana, it was crucial against Chippa as well to come back after they scored. It was in the second game against Jwaneng and today it was exceptionally good. Like everybody who is not in the starting 11, it’s difficult but the people who’s coming from the bench they are showing that they are ready to die for the team even if they are getting a minute and that’s very good news for all of us and people are waiting for their opportunities,” said Riveiro.

“I think Evidence same as Karim, Sibisi, everyone involved, are performing in the level that we need in those certain moments of the game because there’s many days that as much as you dominate and you control you can find yourself in the last stages of the game 0-0 or with the game not clearly done and the contribution of the players coming 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 minutes in modern football is extremely important, added Riveiro.”

Orlando Pirates will face Richards Bay away at the King Zwelithini stadium on Sunday, while Polokwane City will host Stellenbosch FC at the Old Peter Mokaba stadium on the same day.