Orlando Pirates maintain winning start to league campaign with hard-fought Richards Bay win

Orlando Pirates maintained their one hundred percent record in the Betway Premiership this season with a 1-0 win over Richards Bay FC at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Buccanneers have now won all three of their league fixtures this season and have Kabelo Dlamini to thank for the three points as his superb 82nd-minute free-kick proved to be the decider.

Pirates started strong, asserting their dominance early in the match. However, a moment of concern arose in the ninth minute when Thabiso Sesane executed a reckless tackle on Justice Figueiredo and was lucky to escape with just a yellow card. Following the resulting free-kick, Lwandile Mabuya sent his shot wide.

In the 21st minute, the in-form Thalente Mbatha had Pirates' first attempt at goal but it was off target. Angolan international Gilberto then tried to bend an effort in from the left in the 30th minute, but it went wide.

It was an end-to-end period in the match as four minutes later Thabang Sibanyoni was unable to direct his header on target at the other end.

As the half drew to a close, Pirates nearly broke the deadlock when Deon Hotto unleashed a curling shot from outside the box, but Otieno produced an excellent save to keep it at 0-0.

The second half opened with a chance for Mbatha just six minutes in, but Otieno was again alert, deflecting the shot for a corner. Gilberto had another opportunity in the 55th minute, but his attempt went wide.

The Natal Rich Boyz responded and in the 57th minute, Figueiredo forced a save from a relatively untested Sipho Chaine, while Mabuya came close, grazing the crossbar shortly after. Relebohile Mofokeng, who had been quiet up until then, almost scored in the 61st minute, but Otieno was quick to respond with another excellent save.

Pirates continued to press, and in the 66th minute, a well-formed wall effectively blocked Hottoâ™s free-kick, and Gilberto's header from the ensuing corner went wide.

Bucs coach Jose Riveiro must have been wondering how his side were not in the lead as Otieno once again showcased his shot-stopping abilities with a stunning double save, first denying Mofokengâ™s shot and then keeping out Hottoâ™s follow-up attempt on the rebound.

Much of Pirates' threatening play had come down the left, with Dlamini who had come on for Mbatha in the 63rd minute, combining well with Hotto.

In the 82nd minute, Dlamini won a free-kick just outside the box in the centre of the pitch on the D-line after he was fouled by Langelihle Mhlongo.

The substitute dusted himself off, set himself before executing a brilliant curling shot around the wall, finding the bottom corner with Otieno rooted to the spot. The Pirates players erupted in celebration at the corner flag and managed to hold on to their lead from there on out to secure a hard-fought victory.

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