Bucs Bounces Back Against Royal AM

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JOHANNESBURG: Pirates needed to dust themselves off following a shocking defeat in their opening match against Stellenbosch FC at Danie Craven stadium on Saturday, 5 August.

Orlando Pirates registered their first win of the 2023/24 DSTV Premiership season in a six-goal thriller at the Orlando Stadium. The Buccaneers edged Royal AM 4-2 with Zakhele Lepasa netting a first-half brace.

A dominant first-half display by Pirates produced three goals, which prompted Royal AM coach John Maduka to make four changes before halftime.

Pirates needed to dust themselves off following a shocking defeat in their opening match against Stellenbosch FC at Danie Craven stadium on Saturday, 5 August. Jose Riveiro made two changes from the team that lost by a solitary goal to Stellies, bringing in Paseka Mako and Relebohile Mofokeng for Deon Hotto and Fortune Makaringe respectively.

Seeking to unsettle the visitors with an early goal, Pirates began the match with high intensity. Struggling to deal with their pace, Royal AM conceded a penalty in the 14th minute when Patrick Maswanganyi was fouled inside the box. Making no mistake, Lepasa converted it, 1-0 to the Buccaneers.

The home side kept on surging forward, putting Royal AM’s defense under immense pressure. Last season’s DSTV Premiership Players’ Player of the season Monnapule Saleng redeemed himself with a goal in the 29th minute after he had wasted a golden opportunity to double the lead moments before.

Lepasa completed his brace in the 35th minute with an assist by Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, who unleashed a long ball to find him.

Royal AM had to change something to get back into the game and Maduka made four changes just after the 40th minute. The change paid off as one of the substitutes, Hopewell Cele, pulled one back for the visitors in the 44th minute.

Pirates took a 3-1 lead to half time in what was an eventful first half with goals. In the second half, Royal AM were an improved side with a little bit of energy and urgency to go forward. The home team, on the other hand, missed one opportunity after the other to further increase their lead.

The visitors’ second goal in the 88th minute by Mxolisi Macuphu made it a nervy finish for the Buccaneers. Like a pendulum, the ball was swinging from one side to the other, making it a great game to watch.

A moment of reprieve for Pirates came after the 90th minute when Bandile Shandu slotted home a fourth goal. Thus, Riveiro’s team has collected its first three points of the season following an entertaining game. In the end, it was too close for comfort, but it prevailed with the comfortable score-line.