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Orlando Pirates held their nerve to clinch a dramatic 2-1 victory over Polokwane City in their Betway Premiership encounter at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday.
The win ensured that the Buccaneers kept their spot at the top of the standings as they remained ahead in a tight race for league honours after making it 14 wins in 19 matches.
Greeted by the rain in the Limpopo capital, the visitors were quick to adapt to the tricky conditions as they went in search of three points to maintain their position at the top of the standings. They were the first to spark up some chances and could have gone ahead just six minutes in when Evidence Makgopa went one-on-one with City goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula who stuck out a hand to direct the ball out of play.
Early momentum remained with Pirates as they peppered the home side’s goal with shots. Oswin Appollis was at the forefront of this passage of play going close with an effort from a direct free kick before drawing Mathebula into a save with another well-struck shot from outside the box.
Meanwhile, the City shot-stopper’s opposite number Sipho Chaine had the quieter evening of the two men between the sticks. He was however called upon towards the end of the first quarter when he had to keep out a tricky shot sent his way by Thabang Matuludi. The bulk of the shots were nonetheless directed towards Mathebula, who had to be at his best when he faced a shot from Thalente Mbatha near the half-hour mark.
The first half did not finish without a bit of drama as Pirates appeared to be handed an opportunity to edge ahead from the spot when the referee spotted a handball when Makgopa’s header from point-blank range was cleared off the line. The decision did not stand however as it was overturned following consultation between the match officials.
This meant that an action-packed first 45 minutes ended without a goal from either side, with the Buccaneers returning to the tunnel without much to show for their first half dominance.
A few rushed shots at the start of the second period extended the visitors’ frustration as they resumed their control of proceedings. The defensive effort from the hosts would not hold out for long however as Pirates finally found the breakthrough in the 53rd minute.
It came following some persistent work from De Jong and Appollis who drew saves from Mathebula in quick succession with the shot stopper parrying the latter effort in the direction of Mofokeng who headed at an empty net to make it 1-0.
Having bagged his fourth league goal of the season, the 21-year-old could have added his fifth soon after when he was entrusted with a set piece right on the edge of the penalty area, but could only direct his curling effort inches wide of the target.
Further shots from Appollis and replacement midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi failed to extend the Buccaneers’ lead and the missed opportunities would eventually haunt the visitors as City forward Bonginkosi Dlamini equalised against the run of play when he poked one past Chaine with only four minutes of regulation time.
This set the Soweto Giants on a desperate hunt for a late winner, and that required some cool heads. Experience and composure shone through in the build-up with the ball worked towards Hotto whose cross from the left flank found Maswanganyi, who made no mistake in guiding the ball past Mathebula into the back of the net.
Pirates tightened up at the back having restored their lead and were able to see out the remainder of the contest, inflicting a first home defeat of the season on their hosts.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Sibisi, Seema, Van Rooyen, Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha, De Jong (Moremi 61’), Mofokeng (Chabatsane 90+4’), Appollis (Maswanganyi 77’), Makgopa (Mbuthuma 61’).
SOURCED FROM CLUB’S WEBSITE.