Match report: SuperSport United vs Orlando Pirates

Matsatsatsa went into the break with a slight advantage, after Thabo Mnyamane opened the scoring in the 22nd minute.

The match got off to an exciting start with both sides having chances at either end, however, neither managed to truly test the goalkeepers.

The first real chance fell the way of the hosts only to be denied by Bucs keeper Jackson Mabokgwane, who did well to punch Mnyamane's fifth minute shot from distance.

However, 17 minutes later, the former AmaTuks frontman made no mistake as he skipped through the Pirates defence, latched onto a loose ball and fired into an empty net after leaving Mabokgwane for dead.

The visitors came close to finding an equaliser with two minutes left of the half, when Luvuyo Memela's cross flahsed across the face of goal and found Thabo Rakhale, but the winger sent his effort over the crossbar from close range.

Just five minutes after the restart, Mabokgwane was called into action and responded with aplomb as he denied Dean Furman's defelected shot from the edge of the box.

Pirates made a double change before the hour mark, bringing on Thabo Qalinge and Thamsanqa Gabuza to try and add impetus in attack.

In the 70th minute, Qalinge almost grabbed an equaliser as he flashed a shot inches wide of the mark, as he beat two defenders as well as Pieterse.

10 minutes later, the Buccaneers were reduced to 10 men when Thabo Matlaba recieved his marching orders for a nasty, late challenge on Jeremy Brockie.

Substitute Kingston Nkhatha then had two chances to extend his side's lead late on, but failed to hit the target on both occassions.

Qalinge almost made them rue those chances in the final minute, as he sent a dipping shot headed for goal but Pieterse rose to the challenge and tipped his effort over the crossbar.