Orlando Pirates Player Ratings: Saleng, Monare shine as Buccaneers make it three wins in a row

The goalkeeper made two good saves in what was his fourth straight start, first getting a solid hand on a well-taken corner before coming up trumps one-on-one in the second half.

He finally got his first clean sheet as a Pirates player and with Richard Ofori back, it will be interesting to see how Riveiro utilises them.

Playing at right wing-back, Shandu caused the Gallants defence plenty of problems with his runs in the opposition box.

He spent most of his time attacking than defending and his efforts yielded the penalty for the second goal when he was brought down in the box while attacking a long ball.

The midfielder was also a top perfomer after being deployed at left wing-back where he easily got in the Gallants box with his quick feet.

He did not score but created a number of chances for his teammates, his only problem being that he was caught out of position on a few occasions.

The tough-tackling Sibisi played in between the three centre-backs and while he started well, his lack of pace at times almost proved costly for his side as Gallants tried to play on the break.

Playing on the right side of the back three, the former AmaZulu FC captain was resolute in defence although his tendency to play a high line saw their opponents catch him unawares on numerous ocassions.

The 28-year-old was the most enterprising of the Pirates' defenders as he made a number of runs forward, acting as another attacking outlet.

He started the move for the first goal with his lofted pass setting Dzvukamanja on his way and that was after some neat passing from him in the early exchages.

Another good game in the engine room for the veteran midfield maestro, Monare was a candidate for Man of the Match award after his link between defence and attack inspired Pirates to the win.

He had some moments of brilliance with his defence-splitting pass in the first half as well as his forward runs which almost yielded a goal late on.

A second successive goal for the hard-working midfielder, this time coming against his former side, Ndlondlo scored the penalty to make it 2-0 for Pirates.

He did not make many runs forward against Gallants but cleared out any danger whenever he was required.

The left-footed playmaker silenced his critics by producing a good performance against Stellenbosch but did not produce as much when playing from a wide role on Saturday.

He was not at his best in the first half but his runs in the box after the break created plenty of ptroblems for Gallants.

A menenace on the right wing, the in-form attacker got on the scoresheet for the second time in three games when he opened the scoring for Pirates.

Saleng connected well with Terrence Dzvukamanja's pass to slot in his fourth goal of season and he could have had more given the way he got into tight spaces with only good marking from the Gallants' defenders keeping him at bay.

Handed a rare start by Riveiro, the Zimbabwean did not score but his overall contribution will delight his coach.

Dzvukamanja supplied the pass for Saleng's goal after a good run on the left side of Pirates' attack and also made life diffiucult for the Gallants' back four with his movement given how he switched between centre-forward and wings.

Came on as a substitute for Shandu with 20 minutes remaning and almost scored the third after a good run in the box in the final five minutes.

Another substitute who nearly scored, Pule replaced Dzvukamanja with 12 minutes to go and almost got on the scoresheet with the last touch of the game after a good run in the box.

Acted as an extra body in midfield as Riveiro sought to see out the game.

The Cameroon forward replaced Saleng with five minutes to go and made little impact.

Another one who had less than five minutes to play, Motshwari came in for Ndlondlo in the 86th minute just to see out the match.