Saleng double lifts Orlando Pirates up to fourth on PSL log

Orlando Pirates returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Golden Arrows in a league match which was played at Princess Magogo Stadium on Tuesday.

Monnapule Saleng netted a first half brace after some great combination with new signing Kermit Erasmus inside the opening 25 minutes.

As expected, Siyabonga Mpontshane started in goal for Pirates in the absence of the injured Richard Ofori while Thabiso Monyane returned to take Bandile Shandu’s place at right-back.

Pirates took the game to Arrows from the word go, and they were rewarded in the sixth minute when Erasmus picked up Saleng who fired past Nkosingiphile Gumede from inside the box.

The high tempo continued from there onwards with Olisa Ndah finding Erasmus with a long ball in the 23rd minute.

Erasmus brilliantly turned two Arrows defenders inside out before leaving the ball for Saleng to blast it home for his second of the night.

And that’s how the first half ended, and Arrows needed a huge second half performance to at least rescue a point at home.

However, it wasn’t to be as Pirates held on to their lead to move up to fourth on the log with 19 points from 12 league games.

GOLDEN ARROWS VS ORLANDO PIRATES: STARTING LINEUPS

Golden Arrows XI: Gumede, Ndlovu, Manthsiyane, Zuke, Lunga, Dube, Dlamini, Mmodi, Sibiya, Ndwandwe, Magawana.

Subs: Mbatha, Cele, Nkosi, Magubane, Shitolo, Moon, Gumbi, Khumalo, Mjengu.

Orlando Pirates XI: Mpontshane, Monyane, Maela, Sibisi, Ndah, Hotto, Timm, Dlamini, Ndlondlo, Erasmus, Saleng.

Subs: Chaine, Xoki, Makaringe, Mako, Motshwari, Makgaka, Makgopa, Lepasa, Peprah.