Orlando Pirates moved to the top of the DStv Premiership table after they beat Marumo Gallants 1-0 at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Paseka Mako’s third-minute goal separated the two teams on the night as the Buccaneers went a point clear of Mamelodi Sundowns, AmaZulu and Royal AM in the chasing pack.

Meanwhile, Bahlabane Ba Ntwa suffered their first defeat of the new season and bring up the rear as the only club in the top flight not to have registered a win.

Pirates were looking to make it three games unbeaten in the league following their goalless draw with SuperSport United on Sunday, while Gallants arrived in Soweto having drawn their opening four matches.

Speaking after the Matsatsantsa outing, Jose Riveiro had expressed confidence that the goals would come for the Sea Robbers and they had to wait just three minutes to break the deadlock on this occasion.

Zakhele Lepasa’s cross came back off the woodwork and Mako pounced on the rebound to beat Washington Arubi from inside the box.

The visitors would shade possession in the first half without creating any real chances as they were limited to a couple of shots from range.

Bucs threatened again midway through the half when Innocent Maela received the ball from Tapelo Xoki and directed a volley at goal that was comfortably saved by Arubi.

Richard Ofori was finally called into action five minutes before halftime as Phillip Ndlondlo lined up a shot from long range that was easily dealt with by the Bucs keeper, while back up the other end Lepasa fired agonisingly wide of the left post from inside the area following a swift counter.

The hosts took their one-goal lead into the break and they almost added a second three minutes after the restart when Maliele Pule’s free-kick bounced awkwardly in front of Arubi, who had to parry it away from danger.

Gallants then went close just before the hour mark from a corner, which was glanced across the face of goal by Ndlondlo and Katlego Otladisa forced Ofori into a save with an effort from inside the area on 66 minutes.

Pirates were forced into a double change on 74 minutes after Tapelo Xoki and Nkosinathi Sibisi were involved in a mid-air collision, with Olisa Ndah and Deon Hotto replaced the injured duo.

Sibusiso Sibeko nearly made an immediate impact off the bench for the Limpopo outfit as he got on the end of a free-kick in the 83rd minute to steer a header wide of the left post.

However, the Soweto giants saw out the final stages of the contest to secure their third win of the league campaign by the same margin.

Soka25east.com