Super-sub Appollis hands Pirates fourth successive win at Siwelele

Oswin Appollis © Gallo Images

Orlando Pirates made it four wins in a row in the Betway Premiership when they edged out Siwelele FC 1-0 in a match played at the Toyota Stadium on Tuesday night.

The victory elevated the Buccaneers to the fourth spot in the standings - a point behind third-placed Kaizer Chiefs and seven behind leaders, Sekhukhune United, but Bucs have a game in hand. Pirates will now host Lesotho's Lioli FC in Saturday's CAF Champions League clash in Soweto.

Siwelele, on the other hand, remained 15th in the standings after registering their sixth defeat of the season and they have four points from eight matches. Coach Lehlohonolo Seema and his charges will be hoping to end the current seven-match winless run in the league when they face Marumo Gallants on Sunday.

The match got off to a lively start with Gape Moralo's dangerous free-kick being well saved by goalkeeper Sipho Chaine in the seventh minute. Almost immediately at the other end, Deon Hotto's long ball found an unmarked Relebohile Mofokeng, who failed to make the perfect connection with only keeper Ricardo Goss to beat.

Siwelele looked dangerous when they played crosses and long balls into the Bucs' defence. Chibuike Ohizu's free-header narrowly missed the target in the 15th minute and Vincent Pule's attempt went straight into Chaine's hands after a mistake by Lebone Seema on the stroke of halftime. The score was 0-0 at the interval.

Oswin Appollis became Pirates' livewire after being introduced prior to the start of the second-half. The Bafana Bafana international proved to be a super substitute with 10 minutes left on the clock as he hit the back of the net with a hard and low shot to hand Pirates a 1-0 lead after being set-up by fellow substitute Evidence Makgopa.

Siwelele had to push forward in numbers in a bid to level matters and they were presented with a golden opportunity to equalize in the 83rd minute, but substitute Christian Saile headed the ball straight into Chaine's hands. Chaine also denied Lyle Lakay in stoppage time to ensure that Pirates claimed a 1-0 win on the night.

Siwelele 0

Pirates 1 (Appollis 80')

Siwelele: Goss, Moralo (Lakay 88'), Khonyane, Mfolozi, Baliti, Potsane, Sanoka, Mokhuoane (Zwane 85'), Gamphani, Pule (Saile 62'), Ohizu

Pirates: Chaine, Mbokazi, Seema, Lebitso, Hotto, Nduli, Mbatha (Dansin 46'), Maswanganyi (Appollis 46'), Sebelebele (Moremi 58'), Mofokeng (Nemtajela 84'), Mabasa (Makgopa 72')

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