Orlando Pirates go level with Chiefs after victory over Chippa United

Orlando Pirates moved level with Chiefs at the top of the Betway Premiership after beating Chippa United 3-0 at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium in Durban on Sunday afternoon.

Ghampani Lungu, Lebone Seema and Daniel Msendami scored as the Buccaneers returned to winning ways following their midweek draw with AmaZulu. The result gave Pirates their second league victory in three matches as they continue the defence of their title.

The hosts were dealt a setback before kick-off when they confirmed that Sihle Nduli would be unavailable for four months. The midfielder suffered a Grade 3 ligament tear in his ankle during the match against AmaZulu. Tshepang Oremi and Andre De Jong were also ruled out of the contest.

Both sides began at a high tempo, immediately looking to attack whenever they regained possession. Pirates created the first notable opening, but Yanela Mbuthuma sent his effort wide from inside the penalty area.

The game then settled into a competitive midfield battle, with clear chances proving difficult to create. Chippa goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was forced into action in the 17th minute when he produced an excellent save to keep out Oswin Appollis’ powerful strike from distance.

At the other end, Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine was largely untroubled as Chippa United found it difficult to make consistent progress into the final third. Justice Figareido provided their principal outlet on the left, regularly cutting inside after receiving possession.

Nwabali again kept Chippa in the contest in the 33rd minute. He reacted impressively to Deon Hotto’s curling free-kick, tipping the ball over the crossbar.

Pirates continued to apply pressure, but Chippa United remained organised defensively and prevented the visitors from finding a way through before the interval. The teams went into half-time with the score still goalless.

Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side returned from the break with greater attacking purpose and threatened Nwabali’s goal on several occasions. Patrick Maswanganyi went close after getting beyond the Chippa defence, although his attempt drifted wide.

The breakthrough eventually arrived when Lungu finished from close range to put Pirates in front. The visitors then strengthened their advantage four minutes later, with Seema heading home from a corner.

Chippa United continued to push forward in search of a response, but Pirates’ defensive line proved difficult to breach. Their hopes of recovering a result were finally ended when substitute Msendami took advantage of an error by Nwabali to score the third goal.

The victory puts Pirates at the top of the league standings alongside Chiefs, while Chippa United were unable to find a way back into a match in which they had frustrated their opponents for much of the first half.