Pirates cut Sundowns’ lead with victory over Durban City

Orlando Pirates moved to within four points of Betway Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns after a 2-0 home victory over Durban City at Orlando Stadium on Thursday.

Lebone Seema and Tshepang Moremi scored in the second half to secure three points for the Buccaneers, who also have two games in hand on Sundowns.

The result leaves Pirates with the opportunity to reduce the gap to one point when they face bottom side Marumo Gallants in their next league match on Sunday. That game will be played at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.

The victory was a particularly timely one for both Seema and Moremi. Seema had been selected by Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane for next week’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, and marked the call-up with the opening goal.

Moremi, meanwhile, responded after being omitted from the national team. He had featured predominantly under Hugo Broos but was overlooked by Mosimane, who instead selected Shandre Campbell and Luther Singh.

Durban City’s defeat saw them fall to 11th in the table. Coach Khalil Ben Youssef’s side are now under pressure from the teams immediately below them, Chippa United and Kruger United.

City created the first notable opening inside six minutes after confusion in the Pirates defence. Tylo Sanger’s effort, however, took a deflection off Sipho Chaine.

The match was closely contested in midfield, with Pirates relying on Mthetheleli Mthiyane, Simphiwe Masilela and Thapelo Mokobodi to control the central areas.

Ben Youssef responded by deploying Bafana Bafana midfielder Brooklyn Poggenpoel alongside Sanger and Fezile Gcaba in an attempt to contain the Pirates trio.

Moremi was among Orlando Pirates’ most prominent attacking players and appeared determined to make an impression after his national-team omission. City nearly took the lead shortly before half-time, but Jean Lubumba was denied by Chaine, who made a save with an outstretched hand after Pirates were exposed once again.

Pirates increased the pace after the interval and quickly produced opportunities for Mokobodi and Seema, although neither resulted in a goal.

Seema broke the deadlock in the 58th minute. He rose above the City defence to meet Kabelo Kgositsile’s corner and directed a powerful header beyond goalkeeper Fredrick Asare, scoring his second goal of the season.

Moremi then gave Pirates a two-goal cushion 10 minutes later. After City failed to deal with another attacking move, he drove a left-footed shot past Asare to settle the contest and leave Sundowns with their lead cut to four points.