Staff Reporter.
Sekhukhune United secured a late win when they overcame Orlando Pirates 2-0 in a DStv Premiership match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday evening.
Pirates saw most of the ball in the opening exchanges, but they couldn’t unsettle Babina Noko’s backline, which looked impenetrable.
Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo attempted through and long passes for his Pirates teammates, but goalkeeper Ali Badra Sangare and his defence read the ball well and cleared their lines.
Sekhukhune grew gradually into the game and they finished the first half the stronger of the two of the teams as keeper Richard Ofori pulled off a magnificent diving save to deny his former Pirates teammate Linda Mntambo.
Ofori also gathered efforts from Daniel Cardoso and Tshegofatso Mabasa to ensure that the first half ended goalless.
Babina Noko continued to put pressure on the Bucs backline after the restart with Mntambo forcing Ofori into a low save after the visitors had given away possession in the middle of the park.
Pirates were reduced to 10 players when Thabiso Monyane was sent off after receiving his second yellow card of the game and coach Jose Riveiro’s side had to soldier on.
Riveiro reacted by introducing Kermit Erasmus, Bandile Shandu, Vincent Pule and Deon Hotto who became a constant threat to the hosts’ defence which saw him force Sangare into a near-post save.
However, Sekhukhune grabbed a late goal in the 84th minute when Elias Mokwana beat Ofori with a rasping shot at the near-post to hand the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Sekhukhune’s 2-0 win was sealed by Vusumuzi Mncube after Ofori had shockingly left his goal-line and the Ghana international gave away possession. Therefore, Babina Noko recorded their first-ever win over the Buccaneers.