Winning start for Vermezovic

An early strike from Kermit Erasmus gave Vladimir Vermezovic a winning start as Orlando Pirates beat Moroka Swallows 1-0 in an Absa Premiership encounter at Dobsonville Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Pirates looked in control for most of the game but Swallows nearly snatched a draw with a late fight back, and were it now for the heroics of Senzo Meyiwa the derby spoils would’ve been shared.

Erasmus hit the post before finding the back of the net in the ninth minute following some good build-up play.

Thabo Matlaba picked out Tlou Segolela with a perfectly weighted cross who then laid it off to Erasmus who in turn found the back of the net with a precise finish.

Pirates continued to dominate as Swallows struggled to hold on to possession with Siyabonga Nomvethe in particular finding himself isolated up-field.

Pelembe almost made it 2-0 two minutes into the second-half. The Dube Birds defence backed off the Mozambican, who responded with a stinging effort, Greg Etafia was beaten but not the post.

Vermezovic brought on former Amakhosi marksman Lehlohonolo Majoro for his Pirates debut in the 69th minute.

Ayanda Gcaba failed to find the back of the net from close range seven minutes later after Etafia palmed Lekgwathi’s header straight into the path of the defender.

He almost paid for his miss as Swallows launched a late assault on Meyiwa’s goal.

Nomvethe brought the best out of the  Bafana Bafana shot-stopper in the first minute of stoppage time before the Pirates keeper somehow denied Larry Cohen from point-blank range moments later to secure the points for the Sea Robbers.

The win moves Pirates up to fourth place on the log while Swallows are now seven games without a win.

Moroka Swallows 0

Orlando Pirates (1) 1 (Erasmus 9’)

Moroka Swallows: Etafia, Isaacs, Nergadze, Cohen, Mapemba, Mabalane (Obada 76’), Tsutsulupa (Manqele 54’), Mbekile, Chabangu, Wana (Bereng 71’), Nomvethe

Orlando Pirates: Meyiwa, Nyauzu, Gcaba, Lekgwathi, Matlaba, Myeni, Ntshumayelo, Manyisa, Segolela (Majoro 69’), Pelembe (Bacela 86’), Erasmus (Ngoma 74’)

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