Orlando Pirates registered their sixth successive victory in the DStv Premiership after defeating TS Galaxy 2-1 on Sunday afternoon.
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro provided two changes from the win over Cape Town City where James Monyane and Thapelo Xoki returned at the back, while Galaxy dropped Bernard Parker to the bench.
Zimbabwean Terrence Dzvukamanja gave the Buccaneers the ideal start when he headed in the far post after getting on the end of a corner-kick two minutes on the clock.
The Buccaneers' tails were up and camped in the half of the host which resulted in the countless openings for Deon Hotto and Kabelo Dlamini in particular but neither capitalised.
Galaxy, however, did come to the party seven minutes to halftime and were on even terms when captain Given Msimango latched on the end of a corner and headed in off the far post.
Pirates maintained their bright start a little to 12 minutes after the interval and were back in front when Hotto connected with a knockdown by Xoki in the area and nodded in off Buthelezi's gloves.
This led the Rockets to turn to the substitutes bench and saw coach Sead Ramovic introduce Parker in the place of former Pirates midfielder Xola Mlambo.
Galaxy's momentum in forward areas as well as in possession was restored in the final quarter and threatened with a snap shot on the edge of the area by Orebotse Mongae.
Riveiro's charges, though, maintained dominant in all phases and could've had a third with a first-time attempt at the near post by substitute Kermit Erasmus, but he hit the side-netting.
Pirates were given another chance in the last seconds when Erasmus played Monnapule Saleng level with Buthelezi, but the latter stood firm and smothered the strike.
However, the Buccaneers ended on the winning side after running down the lengthy stoppages and registered a sixth win in a row to reclaim second spot.
Confirmed line-ups:
TS Galaxy: Buthelezi, Munyai, Msimango, M. Mahlangu, Seedat, Mbunjana, Mlambo, Mongae, Sebelebele, Mbatha, Medina Rodriguez
Subs: Kolak, Mere, Aubaas, Parker, Mathekgane, Nyama, Phohlongo, Radebe, SeemaOrlando Pirates: Chaine, Sibisi, Xoki, Monyane, Mako, Timm, Monare, Saleng, Hotto, Dlamini, Dzvukamanja
Subs: Mpontshane, Mthethwa, Ratomo, Makhaula, Shandu, Makgopa, Ndlondlo, Makaringe, Erasmus
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