Orlando Pirates opened their Absa Premiership campaign with a thorough 3-1 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic at Orlando Stadium.

Thembinkosi Lorch was a notable absentee for Pirates through injury, but Thabiso Monyane made his debut in the defence along side Alfred Ndengane.

Pirates threatened any early lead from a corner, but Sipho Chaine parried Musa Nyatama’s away, while Wandisile Letlabika made way for Mzwanele Mahashe through injury.

The wait was over on five minutes after Augustine Mulenga sprung the offside trap to beat Chaine in a one-on-one situation from an exquisite ball by Nyatama.

Celtic struggled to adapt to the Sea Robbers approach with Ndumiso Mabena and co unable to find a breakthrough, despite looking lively on the break. Eventually, Celtic levelled five minutes to halftime when Mzwanele Mahashe controlled a ball in to area to head over an advancing Wayne Sandilands.

Bucs were back in front after 56 minutes when Innocent Maela stationed firmly to head home Mulenga’s corner from an unmarked position.

Two minutes later, former Celtic playmaker Kabelo Dlamini made his debut for the Soweto giants after 58 minutes, with Luvuyo Memela making way.

Sandilands was brought in to action ten minutes later, but the former Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper parried Tebogo Potsane’s shot quite comfortably.

However, Pirates increased their cushion seven minutes later when Mhango intercepted a back-pass from the near side to finish beyond Chaine to mark his official debut with a goal.

Sandilands denied Menzi Masuku from point-blank range in the final ten minutes, as Siwelele searched for their second. Pressure didn’t affect the Buccaneers as Celtic threw bodies forward for a late come back, but the Soweto giants won convincingly in the end.

Teams:

Pirates: Sandilands, Jele, Ndengane, Monyane, Maela, Motshwari, Nyatama, Pule, Memela, Shonga, Mulenga.

Subs: Mpontshane, Chabalala, Mbekile, Makaringe, Dlamini, Mhango, Ndlovu.

Celtic: Chaine, Rikhotso, Letlabika, Tani, Pfumbidzai, Baloyi, Phalane, Maema, Maloisane, Masuku, Mabena.

Subs: Mabokgwane, Fikizolo, De Jongh, Ndou, Mashikinya, Potsane, Mahashe.

Kickoff

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

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