Orlando Pirates finally started their Castle Premiership campaign at their new home ground — the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace on Wednesday night with a 1-0 win over a disappointing Manning Rangers.
Pirates led 1-0 at halftime. Pirates looked rusty after their long unplanned delay. Most of the clubs started their league programmes in August and Bucs have a lot of catching up to do.
Rangers striker Gilbert Mushanghazhike failed to punish a defensive blunder by Bucs defender Abednigo Netshodwe in the 13th minute when the Zimbabwean striker hit the Pirates defender’s poor pass straight at keeper Michel Babale.
Two minutes later Pirates failed to convert a similar mistake made by Rangers Frank Schoeman who lost the ball to Gift Leremi but the Bucs midfielder’s shot was wide.
Referee Walter Mochubela made a mistake in the 26th minute when he ruled Benedict Vilakazi offside, when the Pirates midfielder was aiming for goal at close range. The referee failed to spot a Rangers player in front of Vilakazi on the ground.
Pirates, although dominating, failed to finish in front of goal. Bafana Bafana striker Jimmy Kauleza’s poor run continued when he missed a good chance to put Pirates ahead in the 31st minute. But it was left to newcomer Mofedi to slot home the only goal two minutes from the break with a sweetly taken free kick.
Rangers started to show a little more urgency at the start of the second half. Michael Shata headed wide of the Pirates woodwork in the 63rd minute and five minutes later team mate Alton Meiring’s shot also went agonisingly wide of the upright.
Pirates finished the stronger side but poor finishing let them down yet again. Substitute Phumudzo Manenzhe overran a through ball in the 73rd minute but was thwarted by a brave save from Khwenenyane.
Then in the dying seconds Schoeman made amends with a tremendous goalline clearance off another Bucs substitute Thabang Lebese to deny Bucs a bigger win. – Sapa