Orlando Pirates netted a late winner to defeat SuperSport United 1-0 in the DStv Premiership on Saturday evening to boost their chase for a CAF Champions League spot.
Pirates shifted their focus from the Nedbank Cup to league action when they welcomed SuperSport United at Orlando Stadium, looking to collect all three points.
The Buccaneers started the match on a front foot with a positive positional football in the final third.
Miguel Timm fired a shot from deep-lying midfield, but his shot was dealt decisively by goalkeeper Ricardo Goss.
PIRATES KEPT PILING PRESSURE ON SUPERSPORT
Pirates kept piling the pressure on SuperSport, searching for an opening goal with an interchange of passes between Thembinkosi Lorch and Kermit Erasmus, who had his shot blocked by Thulani Hlatshwayo.
The Soweto giants came close to breaking the deadlock in the 37th minute when Innocent Maela made a good run from the left wing to shot on target, but his powerful shot was deflected away for a corner kick.
The referee Jelly Chavani blew the half-time whistle with both sides failed to find a breakthrough in the first half.
Pirates started the second half with a high tempo searching for a goal, but SuperSport remained resolute at the back.
Erasmus played a floating ball into the box to find Monnapule Saleng, who blasted his shot inches away off target.
Pirates intensified their push for an opening goal when Maela sliced through the SuperSport defence to play an inviting ball to Lorch, who couldn’t connect with the ball.
Jose Riveiro made double substitutions for Pirates to bring in Fortune Makaringe and Evidence Makgopa in place of Kabelo Dlamini and Kermit Erasmus.
Matsatsantsa a Pitori began to string good passes in Pirates’ half, but they were let down by poor decision-making.
TAPELO XOKI CONVERTS PENALTY
On the other hand, Pirates were awarded a penalty after Saleng was brought down in the box by Onismor Bhasera.
Tapelo Xoki stepped up to take the spot, and he converted to give Pirates a 1-0 lead in the 79th minute.
Pirates held on to claim a slender 1-0 victory against SuperSport and remained third on the Premiership log with 37 points.
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