Bucs beat Dikwena

Two goals courtesy of Justin Shonga and Thembinkosi Lorch helped Orlando Pirates to a 2-0 win over Platinum Stars in the Absa Premiership at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

In the wake of the win, Pirates now move to the second spot with 30 points from 19 games in their campaign.

As early as the third minute, Dikwena nearly grabbed an early lead when Bonginkosi Ntuli made a great turn in the box and forced a save from Jackson Mabokgwane.

The Buccaneers responded a minute later, but Lorch wasted a glorious chance when his effort was saved by Dino Visser on a one-on-one situation.

Despite few chances after the 20th minute, a cross from the Innocent Maela met Shonga in the box, who beat two Dikwena defenders to score his first goal for the visitors with two minutes to half-hour mark.

The Soweto giants had brilliant touches in Stars’ half and Musa Nyatama could only hit the side of the net from close range in the 41st minute.

Coach Milutin Sredojevic’s side went to the recess leading 1-0 at half time.

The 51st minute saw Riyaad Norodien showing his quality in beating Stars defence, but his well-struck shot was punched away by Visser for a corner.

Pirates piled more pressure on their hosts and four minutes later, Shonga came close to doubling his tally when his curling shot went inches wide, with Visser merely becoming a spectator.

After the hour mark, coach Roger De Sa’s men fought hard to bag an equaliser and Mabokgwane was equal to the task to deny Zama Rambuwane from a dangerous free kick.

Pirates were rewarded when Lorch made it 2-0 in the 72nd minute when he produced a fine finish in the box from a cross down the right flank.

Although Pirates dominated the proceedings, chances in front of goal were few and far between in the last 10 minutes as the visitors added more woes to the Phokeng-based outfit.

On the other hand, Stars remain rooted at the bottom of the log standings with 15 points from 19 games so far.

Platinum Stars 0
Orlando Pirates (1) 2 (Shonga 28’, Lorch 72’)

Stars: Visser, De Jongh, Sithole, Mthethwa, Mpeta (Nale 86’), Mere, Mekoa (Monama 77’), Rambuwane, Ng'ambi, Msomi (Koapeng 46’), Ntuli

Pirates: Mabokgwane, Shitolo (Munetsi 61’), Nyauza, Dube, Maela, Nyatama, Makola (Thopola 83’), Norodien (Kutumela 66’), Memela, Lorch, Shonga.

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