Orlando Pirates ended their three-match winless run in the DStv Premiership after a 3-1 win over Golden Arrows at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Since the Soweto Derby defeat to Kaizer Chiefs, Pirates lost to Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City during the 2022 FIFA World Cup break.
Possibly the only reprieve that saw head coach Jose Riveiro retain his role as head coach was the MTN8 final triumph over AmaZulu back in November.
It was a scrappy opening 15 minutes before Pirates carved open Arrows a couple of times with no joy. The visitors sat with a low block looking to find some joy on the counter.
But it was the home side who found the lead when Monnapule Saleng found the net just before the half-hour mark – much to the delight of the supporters who braved the sun and 31 degrees heat at Esgodini.
Riveiro’s men managed to hold on to the lead despite some lax defending at times from Tapelo Xoki and Bandile Shandu.
However, Arrows took the game to Pirates in the second half, and while the Buccaneers had several opportunities too, they were guilty of trying to walk the ball into the net at times and not pulling the trigger when entering the area.
Velemseni Ndwandwe found the equaliser with his first touch of the game after coming on as susbtitute and it seemed as if they were set to share the spoils.
But fellow substitutes from Pirates, Terrence Dzvukamanja and Vincent Pule scored to stoppage time goals to turn the game on its head and make it 3-1, for Pirates to move up to fifth place while Arrows remained in ninth.
