By Michael Madyira
Kabelo Dlamini came off the bench to inspire Orlando Pirates to edge a stubborn Richards Bay 1-0 in a Premier Soccer League clash at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday.
Dlamini’s well-struck free kick, eight minutes from time, made the difference in this contest which saw the Buccaneers complete a third successive win in the league.
It was a result that kept the Soweto giants in close check of Sundowns who have also won all three of their PSL matches.
For Richards Bay, it was the third winless match as they seem to be struggling just like last season.
Angola forward Gilberto started his first league match for Pirates while Evidence Makgopa was benched despite grabbing a brace against Polokwane City last week.
Defender Olisa Ndah and winger Monnapule Saleng, who were injured, also did not feature.
After a drab first half, most of the action came in the second period, with Thalente Mbatha’s grounder from outside the box being saved by Richards Bay goalkeeper Ian Otieno six minutes into the second half.
The Buccaneers custodian Sipho Chaine was then forced to brilliantly save Justice Figuareido’s volley on 57 minutes.
It was a second half which became a show of brilliance by the goalkeepers and just after the hour mark, Otieno dived to parry Relebohile Mofokeng’s cheeky strike.
Figuareido was a constant threat for Pirates and Orieno then made a double save, first off Mofokeng’s shot before stretching to block Deon Hotto’s follow up with 12 minutes to go.
As the match appeared headed for a stalemate, Dlamini then struck a free kick into the top corner for his first league goal of the season.
Pictured above: Orlando Pirates players celebrate Kabelo Dlamini’s goal
Source: Orlando Pirates
