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Cape Town - Orlando Pirates broke a six-match winless streak with a 2-1 victory over Chippa United in an Absa Premiership clash at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Tshegofatso Mabaso was the star of the show as the former Bloemfontein Celtic striker netted a brace.
Pirates coach Rhulani Mokwena handed a debut to off-season signing Joris Delle between the sticks, replacing Wayne Sandilands.
The Buccanneers had the first opportunity of the game. Xola Mlambo won the ball back in midfield and fed a ball through for Siphesihle Ndlovu whose left-footed effort from in the box was well saved by the legs of Chippa goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb.
The hosts were dominating the possession and territory stakes but appeared to be lacking the necessary penetration in the final third apart from that earlier chance that was carved out for Ndlovu.
Delle was forced to make his first save of the match when he held on to a Tercious Malepe long-range effort that was straight him and pretty comfortable to deal with on the half-hour mark.
Ndlovu's runs were causing the Chilli Boys defence some headaches and the former Maritzburg United man rifled a volley over the bar soon after after the ball was headed down in to this path by Augustine Mulenga.
On the stroke of half-time, Mulenga got free down the right-hand side before delivering the ball in to the box which was parried out back in to the danger area by Tignyemb but luckily for him it did not fall to a Pirates player with Frederic Nsabiyumva clearing the danger.
The hosts continued to boss the match after the interval and were eventually rewarded for their dominance when they took the lead in the 57th minute. Mulenga won the ball back in midfield before playing in Mabaso, who finished first-time on his left foot in to the bottom right-hand corner with composure.
Three minutes later, Chippa were 2-0 down. Thembinkosi Lorch played in Thabiso Monyane down the right-hand side with the substitute getting to the byline before delivering the ball in to the feet of Mabaso, who turned Nsabiyumva brilliantly in the box before finishing clinically in to the bottom right-hand corner on his left foot all in one motion.
The visitors pulled a goal back in the 79th minute. Rhulani Manzini struck a fierce free-kick towards the bottom right-hand corner which was parried out by Delle with the ball being put back in to the box for Lerato Manzini to apply a simple finish from close range.
Soon after, Delle made a brilliant save to keep out Nsabiyumba's header from a Malepe corner. Pirates held on in a nervy final ten minutes to claim a crucial three points.
- Teamtalk Media
