JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – OCTOBER 22: Mohau Nkota of Orlando Pirates during the Betway Premiership match between Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United at Orlando Stadium on October 22, 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
Orlando Pirates lead AmaZulu 2-0 at the interval at Orlando Stadium on Friday evening.
Betway Premiership
Halftime: Orlando Pirates 2-0 AmaZulu
Date: 25 October 2024
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Pirates kept the same side that beat SuperSport United, as their attack was led by Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi, Mohau Nkota and Evidence Makgopa.
Usuthu, meanwhile, had four former Buccaneers in their line-up, goalkeeper Richard Ofori, Abbubaker Mobara, Ben Motshwari and Wayde Jooste.
Jose Riveiro’s charges enjoyed a bulk of possession in the early stages but they were quickly closed down in the dangerous areas by Usuthu.
The visitors looked to attack on counter-attacks and on 20 minutes had a good break after Tshepang Morena raced through on the channel and played a dangerous cross that Boniface Haba missed by a second for a tap-in.
Although the Buccaneers were interrupted by the forced change of Deano Van Rooyen, who was replaced by Paseka Mako, Nkota eventually broke the deadlock with a rocket shot that beat Ofori in the top corner after a good turn.
AmaZulu were punished ten minutes before the break for committing numbers forward too early, after Nkota doubled the lead for Pirates and got his brace with a low finish from a cut-back by Mofokeng.
Here’s how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 3. Van Rooyen, 5. Sibisi, 36. Sesane, 7. Hotto, 8. Makhaula, 16. Mbatha, 33. Nkota, 28. Maswanganyi, 38. Mofokeng, 17. Makgopa.
Subs: 35. Buthelezi, 23. Maela, 29, Mako, 15. Ndlondlo, 31. Rasebotja, 25. Kimvuidi, 32. Moleleki, 11. Gilberto, 9. Mabasa
AmaZulu: 50. Ofori, 5. Sikhakhane, 4. Hanamub, 12. Fielies, 26. Jooste, 2. Mobara, 8. Motshwari, 18. Brooks, 9. Ighodaro, 19. Moremi, 29. Haba
Subs: 44. Mothwa, 25. Ngobeni, 45. Mngonyama, 17. Gumede, 27. Ekstein, 21. Human, 37. Sithole, 16. Mbanjwa, 33. Dion
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