Orlando Pirates were full value for their 3-1 victory in Saturday’s Premiership clash against Kaizer Chiefs with the Sea Robbers missing a host of chances to extend the score-line.
It was a pulsating tactical battle in the opening 20 minutes as Pirates looked content to sit deep and counter, while Chiefs were dominating the majority of possession.
The Amakhosi were largely relying on crosses into the box from Philani Zulu and Ramahlwe Mphahlele, but they lacked accuracy from the wide positions.
However, in the 12th-minute striker, Ryan Moon flashed a header wide from a good cross from the roaming Siphiwe Tshabalala on the right-hand side.
Nonetheless, in the 21st minute, the Sea Robbers hit the front through Lorch. After Willard Katsande miscued a clearance into the middle of his own box, Lorch side-stepped two defenders and fired home beyond Itumeleng Khune into the far corner.
The Glamour Boys showed urgency in their pursuit of an equaliser and it arrived in the 28th minute through Castro. From a superb delivery from Tshabalala out on the left from a free-kick, the Colombian headed home.
Just before the break, Bernard Morrison had a chance to restore the advantage but he shot straight at Khune after bringing the ball down on his chest inside the area.
After the interval, substitute Memela scored immediately from the restart following a barnstorming run by Musa Nyatama. The winger was played in on the left-hand side, before he curled home beautifully beyond Khune at the near post.
For the next 20 minutes, Pirates completed dominated the play and were inches away from adding a third on more than one occasion.
The visitors did manage a saved header on goal from Castro but thereafter it was Bucs almost in full control on the break.
First Justin Shonga forced a save from Khune with a header from close range before Memela’s free-kick deflected off the wall and hit the inside of the post.
Amakhosi began to get on the ball as the game wore on but were not threatening in the final third, and it was Memela who got the third goal in the 74th minute from a fine assist from the left by Shonga.
Chiefs relied on half chances as Pirates substitute Augustine Mulenga created a great chance for Memela to score his hat-trick. On yet another fast break, he went through on goal but was denied by a good stop from Khune.
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