DURBAN – Orlando Pirates climbed to the top of the leaderboard on Saturday after their 2-0 win over Durban City in the Moses Mabhida stadium, replacing Mamelodi Sundowns as leaders of the South African Premiership.
Evidence Makgopa put the Soweto-based club ahead on 23 minutes and Patrick Maswanganyi
netted after 77 minutes in the Indian Ocean city. It was the third league goal of the season for
both scorers.
Pirates have 28 points and Sundowns 25 after 12 rounds in the richest African national league
with a 20 million rand ($1.17 mn) first prize.
While Pirates were securing maximum points for the second time in five days, having beaten
Chippa United 2-0 on Tuesday, Sundowns were flying home after a CAF Champions League
match in Algeria.
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Pirates were shock losers to Congolese outfit Saint-Eloi Lupopo in the final qualifying round
of the premier African club competition.
But many observers believe there could be a silver lining to the early exit – Pirates can
concentrate on the Premiership while Sundowns face both domestic and time-consuming
international challenges.
Pretoria-based Sundowns have won the last eight editions of the Premiership, some by huge
margins, but the depth of Pirates’ squad suggests a closer race this season.
“We were much better in the second half than the first against Durban thanks to some tactical
adjustments,” said Pirates coach and former Fulham defender Abdeslam Ouaddou.
Apart from taking Pirates to top spot in the league, the Moroccan guided the Buccaneers to
victory in an early-season knockout competition and they face Marumo Gallants on
December 6 in the League Cup final.
Results from this weekend (Betway Premiership)
Friday, 28 November
- Richards Bay 2 – 0 AmaZulu FC
Saturday, 29 November
- Durban City 0 – 2 Orlando Pirates
- Polokwane City 0 – 0 TS Galaxy
- Siwelele 0 – 0 Chippa United
Upcoming fixtures
Sunday, 30 November
- Marumo Gallants v Magesi (13:30)
Log standings (TOP5)
Orlando Pirates (28); Mamelodi Sundowns (25); Sekhukhune United (22); Kaizer Chiefs (22); and AmaZulu FC (21)
