Staff Reporter.
Orlando Pirates edged closer to their archrivals, Kaizer Chiefs on the PSL standings after securing a hard-fought 1-0 win over Sekhukhune United on Wednesday evening.
Pirates are fourth on the log with 38 points, five behind the second-placed rookies Royal AM. Sekhukhune, meanwhile, are 10th with 30 points, one behind the eighth-placed SuperSport United.
The match settled into an early pattern of Pirates dominating possession but struggling to find a way through Sekhukhune’s deep-lying defence, with the hosts looking to strike on the counter attack whenever a Bucs passing move went awry.
It was Babina Noko who had the first shots in anger, though both Yusuf Maart and Kamohelo Sithole were way off target with their long-range efforts inside the opening 20 minutes.
Sekhukhune began to come out of their shell around the midway point of the first half, committing more men forward and probing the Pirates defence – though goalkeeper Richard Ofori was left untested.
The Buccaneers also struggled to put together any attacks of substance, with striker Kwame Peprah left isolated and unserviced. The likes of Maart, Edwin Gyimah and Sibusiso Mbonani did great work to ensure the hosts gave their opponents no space in the final third.
The first 45 minutes ended goalless – with nether side having managed a shot on target – while the second half opened with Sekhukhune making a double change, as they swapped out Vusumuzi Mncube and Nthabang Kobela for Chibuike Ohizu and Tshediso Patjie.
The attacks continued to flounder until just after the mark when Pirates were rewarded a penalty, as Sekhukhune’s Edwin Gyimah was guilty of a clumsy foul to bring down Siphesihle Ndlovu.
Deon Hotto stepped up to take the spot kick, but his low shot was well saved by goalkeeper Ayanda Dlamini diving to his left.
However, Dlamini was ultimately at fault for Bucs breaking the deadlock in the 82nd minute: the goalkeeper’s poor clearance fell straight to Thembinkosi Lorch, who feed Tshegofatso Mabasa and the striker teed up Fortune Makaringe to strike home a shot from the ‘D’ of the penalty area.
Sekhukhune looked for an equaliser in what remained of the game and substitute Chibuike Ohizu missed their best chance deep in injury time, dragging a shot wide of the mark from the edge of the penalty area.
Pirates will return to DStv Premiership action next midweek, Tuesday 12 April, with a clash away to Baroka FC, while Sekhukhune’s next league fixture is at home to TS Galaxy on Saturday 16 April.
Meanwhile Royal AM strengthened their bid for CAF Champions League football with a 2-0 victory over Marumo Gallants at Chatsworth Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Elsewhere AmaZulu FC snapped their four-match winless run in the DStv Premiership when they edged out Baroka FC 1-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday evening.