Two goals within five minutes shortly after half-time against Ajax Cape Town were sufficient to cement Orlando Pirates’ position at the top of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) log with a 2-1 victory — but there was almost a sting in the tail end of the game for the Buccaneers.
Nathan Paulse reduced the deficit for Ajax in the 85th minute with a soaring header from a Brett Evans free-kick on the edge of the penalty area — and for the rest of an entertaining, action-packed game, the Buccaneers’ officials and supporters in a 13 000-strong crowd were biting their nails.
Pirates, however, overcame the late onslaught, and the goal barrage from Innocent Mdlela (53rd minute) and Lebohan Mokoena (58th minute) was sufficient to increase the Buccaneers’ lead at the top of the log to an imposing seven points.
It was a fair enough result in the end, as Ajax and former Pirates coach Gordon Igesund magnanimously conceded.
”The better team won,” summed up Igesund. ”But there was not much in it and with a little bit of luck the result could have been reversed.”
And for good measure, Igesund added: ”I’m proud of my players. They played their hearts out and did as well as I could have expected from them.”
On a humid, partly cloudy afternoon, the prospect of a shower of goals was always imminent, with Pirates defender Thabang Molefe imprinting the pattern by almost slicing the ball into his own net in the eighth minute.
A smart save by Thabang Stemmer avoided Molefe’s blushes and the Pirates goalkeeper also made a breathtaking save from Nhlanhla Shabalala in what was an overly impressive performance.
But the Ajax goal led a charmed life at times, with a gallant Moeneeb Josephs saving brilliantly from the cagey Lebohang Mokoena, Benedict Vilakazi and Gift Leremi in turn.
There was, however, a suspicion the Ajax goalkeeper might have saved the all-important breakthrough goal from Mdlela — which ultimately seemed to decide the issue.
Second win for Celtic
Bloemfontein Celtic registered their second win of the season when they beat Santos 2-1 in a PSL game played at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday night.
The score was 1-1 at half-time.
The visitors were always quicker to the ball than the home side were, but Santos should have taken the lead in the 20th minute when Carlo Scott missed an absolute sitter from 10m. However, a minute later Sebastian Baxa headed on a throw in to find Jason Lakay, who buried the ball in the back of the net. This was Santos’ first goal in five league outings and one cup match.
Celtic never gave up and came close in the 25th minute when Jorry Merahe’s strike from the edge of the box was deflected and shaved the far upright. Two minutes before the interval, Celtic got the break they deserved when both Musa Ongao and Wayne Roberts failed to clear the ball and Moses Spandeel bisected the two defenders to slot the ball home.
Eight minutes after the break, Rotson Kilambe gave the visitors the lead, which they did not relinquish.
Referee Paulo Marcus dished out 10 bookings with each side receiving five.
Bucks drop three points
Bush Bucks have themselves to blame for dropping three valuable points when they lost 1-0 to Dynamos in a PSL match played at the Absa Stadium in East London on Saturday.
Dynamos led 1-0 at half-time.
The score was not a true reflection of the game as the home side dominated proceedings throughout the 90 minutes, but were let down by dismal finishing. Zambian international James Chamanga and former Kaizer Chiefs player Simphiwe Mbambo had striking chances aplenty but their accuracy was wanting.
At the other end, Dynamos tested Bucks keeper Tamtungo Dikete and only managed to find a way past him via the penalty spot in the 41st minute — this after Bucks skipper Dumisani Mpofu brought down Dynamos striker Soul Mmethi in the box, which Gerald Modabi duly converted.
Cosmos beat Free State Stars
Jomo Cosmos beat Free State Stars 2-1 to register their second win in an entertaining PSL game played at Charles Mopeli Stadium in the Free State on Saturday.
Cosmos led 1-0 at half-time.
Cosmos meant business from the start and striker Anthony Laffor scored as early as the third minute, beating Stars goalkeeper Kennedy Miweene hands down.
Stars came back strongly in the second half and equalised in the 60th minute through striker Mohau Mokapanelo, who tapped into an empty net.
But Jomo Sono’s boys were not going to lie down and after many attacking forays, midfielder Thapelo Tshilo made sure of the win in the 80th minute.
”Ezenkosi” now move above Stars on the log with nine points, while Stars replace Cosmos as bottom feeders with seven points and are yet to record a win after being promoted to the premiership this season. — Sapa