Orlando Pirates Reserves continued their impressive run with a commanding 2–0 win over Marumo Gallants’ reserve side in a DStv Diski Challenge encounter at KaNyamazane Stadium on Saturday.
The victory kept the Buccaneers firmly at the top of the Reserve League standings, extending their lead to seven points on Matchday 15 and marking a fourth successive clean sheet after another assured home performance.
Eager to tighten their grip on first place as the season reached its halfway point, Pirates made the perfect start by striking almost immediately after kick-off. Seth Green delivered a teasing cross into the area, which found Thuto Sesipi unmarked at the back post. The defender reacted sharply to slot home, scoring for the second game in a row.
Buoyed by the early breakthrough, the hosts dictated the tempo in the opening stages, although Gallants managed to limit further damage. The visitors enjoyed a positive spell midway through the half and went close to an equaliser when Obaratse Morgan fired narrowly wide from distance.
Pirates continued to apply pressure for the remainder of the first half, with Simphiwe Masilela and Joy Manana both testing the Gallants defence. At the other end, goalkeeper Bayanda Zulu was called into action on a few occasions, but neither side could add to the score before the break in an entertaining, high-energy first 45 minutes.
The Buccaneers resumed on the front foot after halftime and nearly doubled their advantage early on when Manana was sent through on goal, only to pull his effort wide. A brief spell of pressure followed as Gallants earned a series of set pieces, but the Pirates backline stood firm to repel the danger.
The decisive second goal arrived in the 57th minute. Tshepo Mhlambi showed great skill down the left flank, beating his marker before squaring for Manana, who made no mistake from close range to register his seventh goal of the campaign.
Pirates pushed for a third late on, with substitute Mpho Padime linking well with captain Lebo Mohlala, whose powerful strike was superbly saved by goalkeeper Gololosego Mofonyane. Gallants threatened in the closing stages as Morgan rattled the crossbar from a set piece, but the hosts held on comfortably.
A final attack failed to produce another goal, and the referee’s whistle confirmed a fourth consecutive win for the Pirates Reserves, underlining their title credentials.
Orlando Pirates Reserves XI:
Zulu; O’Malley, Derbyshire, Mokone, Mhlambi; Mohlala, Masilela, Green (Tau 75’); Sesipi (Padime 63’), Nzimande (Gqeke 63’), Manana (Zikalala 70’).