Pirates bounce back with good win against Stars
Orlando Pirates' second-half fragility is not quite yet a thing of the past.
The Buccaneers again swept aside their opposition in a convincing first half, then were less impressive in the second before a late goal for an ultimately convincing 3-1 Absa Premiership scoreline against Free State Stars.
Bucs cantered to a 2-0 lead by the break with goals by Thembinkosi Lorch in the 14th minute and Justin Shonga in the 28th.
Pirates captain Happy Jele’s own goal just back from the break in the 53rd set up a nervy last 40 minutes for Bucs.
Stars winger Sinethemba Jantjie looked to be a man auditioning to be signed by Pirates and was a notable thorn in the foot for the Buccaneers, especially, as they at times endured a Stars onslaught limping through the second half.
Stars were reduced to 10 men right at the end, in the 88th, with a straight red from referee Daniel Bennett to freshly-introduced substitute Dennis Masina for an over-the-top challenge on Mpho Makola.
Linda Mntambo’s 92ndminute third for Bucs sealed what, in the end, was another good league win for the PSL leaders.
● Mamelodi Sundowns and Baroka FC played out to a goalless draw during their lively Absa Premiership encounter at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Brazilians will kick themselves for not pocketing all the three points on offer as they dominated for most parts of the game with captain Hlompho Kekana, Jeremy Brockie and Gaston Sirino missing good scoring chances in the opening half.
As a result of this stalemate, Sundowns have lost ground on pacesetters Orlando Pirates at top of the standings as they are five points adrift even though they will take consolation from the fact that they have three games in hand.
For Baroka, who are still fresh from the Telkom Knockout triumph at the weekend over Pirates in Port Elizabeth, they moved out of the relegation zone, but they have some work to do over the coming weeks to refresh their league campaign.
● Cape Town City squandered much needed points as they let an early lead slip and were held to a 1-1 draw in the Premier Soccer League at the Athlone Stadium on Tuesday night.
It was another game where Benni McCarthy’s side put on a good display of football, pressed hard for goals, but could not find the back of the net after Riyaad Norodien had given them an eight minute lead.
Chippa will be far the happier as new coach Joel Masutha made a positive start to his reign since taking over from Eric Tinkler.