Orlando Pirates’ good form continued at Johannesburg Stadium on Wednesday where they scored a comfortable 2-0 win over top-of-the-log Santos in a Castle Premiership fixture marred by wet conditions.
Pirates led 1-0 at half-time.
Pirates held the initiative throughout the 90 minutes from a Santos side that lacked urgency and allowed the home side far too much room, which proved costly.
Bucs striker Jimmy Kauleza and teammate Bheka Phakathi missed early chances, but when Santos goalkeeper Brendon Wardle misjudged a long-range shot form Pirates defender Abednigo Netshiozwi in the 20th minute, the Buccaneers never looked back.
Santos stuck to their defensive formation and they had their first shot at goal after 25 minutes. Wardle did well to stop Benedict Vilakazi from increasing Bucs’ lead with a fine save in the 38th minute. Three minutes later Kauleza missed a gilt-edged chance.
Steve Lekoelea started to weave his magic after the break and was unlucky when he shot wide in the 52nd minute after dazzling the Santos defence with some rare ball skills.
But Lekoelea scored the goal of the match seven minutes from time when he latched on to a brilliant back heel from Vilakazi to give Wardle no chance and make the game safe for Pirates. — Sapa