Chaine stands tall as Pirates dismantle Durban City to close in on Sundowns

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Chaine stands tall as Pirates dismantle Durban City to close in on Sundowns
Orlando Pirates players celebrating a goal, image: Pirates

Orlando Pirates moved within four points of Mamelodi Sundowns in the league following a 2-0 victory over Durban City at Orlando Stadium on Thursday.

Pirates, who had three games in hand over Sundowns before Thursday’s clash, made no mistakes as they comfortably secured three points to close in on the league leaders.

The Buccaneers, however, had to wait until the second half to break the deadlock with goals from Lebone Seema and Tshepang Moremi doing the job for Abdeslam Ouaddou’s team.

Tshepang Moremi in action for Orlando Pirates against Durban City.
Tshepang Moremi in action for Orlando Pirates against Durban City. Image: Orlando Pirates

Pirates had their goalkeeper Sipho Chaine to thank for a goalless draw at halftime as he pulled off two great saves early in the contest and just before the break.

Chaine’s top saves keep Pirates in the game

Chaine was called into action in the fourth minute when Durban’s high press saw Tylo Sanger rob Mthetheleli Mthiyane after he took long to clear the ball from the goalkeeper’s pass.

Sanger found himself one-on-one with the Pirates goalkeeper and unleashed a low shot but Chaine kept it out for a corner with his outstretched leg.

Orlando Pirates defender Lebone Seema.
Orlando Pirates defender Lebone Seema. Image: Orlando Pirates

Pirates’ best chance of the first half arrived in the 27th minute when Kamogelo Sebelebele brought in a delicious cross aimed for Yanela Mbuthuma but Siphamandla Ncanana moved with speed to clear before the ball before it reached the striker.

Durban should have broken the deadlock after 43 minutes when a ball over the top saw Jean Lwamba get behind the Pirates defence and with only Chaine to beat but he saw his well-taken shot punched away by the goalkeeper.

Seema and Moremi’s goals sink Durban City

That led to a goalless first half but after the break, Pirates upped the ante and were rewarded in the 57th minute when Seema rose highest to head home brilliantly from Moremi’s corner.

Kabelo Kgosietsile, Simphiwe Masilela and Tshepang Moremi of Orlando Pirates celebrate a goal.
Kabelo Kgosietsile, Simphiwe Masilela and Tshepang Moremi of Orlando Pirates celebrate a goal. Image: Orlando Pirates

It took Pirates 11 minutes more to double their advantage. Simphiwe Masilela danced his way past his markers before finding Moremi in space and the winger unleashed a shot into the top corner for 2-0 and his third goal of the season.

Pirates continued to ask the questions with a further goal not forthcoming but they had already done enough to secure maximum points to extend their unbeaten run.

The Soweto giants are second on the table with 16 points from six league games, four behind leaders Sundowns, who have played eight matches.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a sports journalist covering South Africa, with 16 years in sports media and a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. Focused on football analysis and responsible gambling, his work has appeared on GOAL and Pulse Sports Kenya, and he is a regular football analyst on TV and radio.

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