Orlando Pirates kept their hopes of a second-place finish alive when they beat Maritzburg United 4-1 at the Orlando Stadium in their DStv Premiership fixture on Tuesday night.
Twelfth-placed Maritzburg have now concluded their fixtures, but Pirates, who were competing in the CAF Confederation Cup, still have two games remaining, and can still finish second if they win against both Royal AM and SuperSport United.
Orlando Pirates 4-1 Maritzburg United
Friday Samu had the first chance for the visitors in just the third minute, but despite a good turn and shot, the Zambian shot just wide of Richard Ofori’s goal.
Thembinkosi Lorch had a good chance in the seventh minute as he found himself one-on-one with Marcel Engelhardt, but his shot went straight at the Maritzburg goalkeeper, who saved well with his legs.
Samu’s headed attempt two minutes later went over the top, and moments later Lorch had another chance at the other end, but this time the Pirates’ forward saw his shot strike the upright.
However, Lorch was not to be denied in the 20th minute, as he broke the deadlock with a well-struck goal after beating the off-side line.
Happy Jele almost made it two on the half-hour mark, but his header hit the woodwork, while Samu’s long-range attempt in the 34th minute went wide.
Tawanda Macheke was just wide with a shot from outside the area in the 40th minute, however, two minutes later at the other end, Pirates doubled the score, Kwame Peprah’s shot sneaking into the corner past Engelhardt.
At half-time Ernst Middendorp rung the changes, making five substitutes at once.
Lorch’s ambitious attempt four minutes into the second half was off target, as was Kabelo Dlamini’s long-range shot in the 50th minute.
It was 3-0 in the 60th minute, Deon Hotto timing his run perfectly to reach Lorch’s cross, and he was able to turn and shoot and score his seventh goal of the season.
Maritzburg hit back immediately, and Samu got a deserved goal, as his well-placed shot beat Ofori to make it 3-1.
Pirates had the ball in the back of the net in the 67th minute, but Innocent Maela was ruled off-side in the build-up. But it was 4-1 two minutes later, as a Lorch back-heel pass set up Dlamini, who coolly placed his shot past Engelhardt.
Tshegofatso Mabasa went one-on-one with Engelhardt in the 81st minute, but the German came out trumps as he denied the Pirates substitute with a good save.
Macheke’s effort in the 85th minute flew over Ofori’s goal, while Alfred Ndengane’s ambitious attempt three minutes later went wide.
But Pirates had done the business and the victory was enough to move up the table to sixth and keep their hopes of continental football next season alive.
