Orlando Pirates claimed bragging rights in the Original Derby with a 2-0 win against Moroka Swallows in their DStv Premiership encounter held at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night.
The home side have stretched their unbeaten run against their oldest rivals to eight league matches, grabbing maximum points in the iconic fixture for the third time running. The visitors had opportunities to place the home side under pressure through a succession of set pieces, but could not create clear chances at goal.
This was until an ambitious attempt from a long way out by Gabadinho Mhango midway through the first half when he found himself in acres of space on the left flank before unleashing a shot that failed to trouble Pirates keeper Melusi Buthelezi.
Read Also: Sundowns conceded a goal ‘difficult to stomach’ – Mokwena
The action remained concentrated inside the Birds’ half of the field, where the Buccaneers continued to probe. Their reward came six minutes from the break when Makgopa matched Pule’s perfectly weighted pass with an equally well-timed run, needing only a single touch to slot home the opener.
The Birds did get a shot away through Kagiso Malinga, who fired wide from a long distance out in the 69th minute. Their search for the equaliser turned into a steep task following a moment of magic at the other end, provided by Monnapule Saleng just seconds after he was introduced as he darted down the right flank before his cross into the middle was deflected over the line by defender Sipho Sibiya.
With a two-goal advantage inside the final 15 minutes, the Buccaneers came close to a third with Saleng again in the thick of things as he connected with Zakhele Lepasa whose headed flick only succeeded in guiding the ball across goal.