Staff Reporter.
Orlando Pirates suffered a second successive defeat after going down 2-1 to Marumo Gallants at Dr Molemela Stadium in Mangaung on Wednesday night.
The visitors got the ball rolling in the opening quarter when Deon Hotto brought a long-ball under control and rolled it into the area for Patrick Maswanganyi to slot in for the opening goal.
Gallants overcame the slow start and managed to get in advanced areas, with Daniel Msendami and Sekela Sithole causing a bit of trouble, but the visitors held firm.
Pirates almost extended the lead ten minutes to halftime, but a double save from goalkeeper Washington Arubi denied Tshepang Moremi and Oswin Appollis’ close-range efforts.
The host, however, were level on the stroke of halftime when a neat passing move ended with a cross into the area where Msendami capitalised and fired in off Sipho Chaine.
It was all Pirates again in the second half as Alexandre Lafitte’s side seemed content to settle for a point, with Evidence Makgopa almost making an immediate impact off the bench when he flashed a shot wide of the post from inside the box on 59 minutes.
However, the Soweto giants were dealt a sucker punch at the death as Jaisen Clifford popped up in the 92nd minute to clinch a dramatic winner against the run of play for Bahlabane Ba Ntwa.
Meanwhile Mamelodi Sundowns returned back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over AmaZulu in their Betway Premiership encounter at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday evening.
Elsewhere Orbit College registered their first goal and win in the Betway Premiership as they edged past Siwelele FC 1-0 at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Tuesday.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.