Orlando Pirates made a winning return to the DStv Premiership as they registered a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sekhukhune United at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday.
The result ended a four-game winless in the league for the Buccaneers, who started the week in 13th place in the standings after eight games played. Pirates managed to push the visitors deep into their own half and their first real opportunity 11 minutes in when a half-hearted clearance from an Olisa Ndah shot brought the ball into the path of Patrick Maswanganyi, whose shot was deflected wide of the target.
Sekhukhune’s first chance of the game came just seconds later through a counter which stretched the Bucs defence, allowing Jamie Webber to cut back into the direction of Chibuike Ohizu, who dragged his effort well wide.
The Soweto-giants continued to pile the pressure on the visitors with Nkosinathi Sibisi heading narrowly wide just after the hour mark after connecting with an excellent cross from Lorch. This was quickly followed by another attempt from Monyane, who was played in on the right by Makgopa before his well-struck shot from a tight angle was parried by Sangare.
The Pirates right back had the better of the Sekhukhune gloveman 11 minutes from time following excellent interplay around the box from substitutes, Relebohile Mofokeng and Vincent Pule. This was when he was played into space on the right, only requiring one touch to send the ball crashing into the back to make it 1-0.