Lucky Lekgwathi scored a controversial goal three minutes before the end of a drab Absa Premier League match to give Orlando Pirates a 1-0 victory against Jomo Cosmos at Loftus on Wednesday.
The defender looked offside as Excellent Walaza slipped the ball to him in the big box. Lekgwathi finished off the slick move with aplomb, blasting the ball past Avril Phali into the top left corner. Cosmos players protested vehemently but the referee ignored their pleas for offside.
Pirates’ left-winger Bennet Chenene had the first chance of the game when he cut in from the flank, left Valery Nahayo sprawled and then shot from outside the big box to test Phali.
Cosmos played a flowing game but hardly got close to Senzo Meyiwa’s goal as Lekgwathi marshalled his defence well.
Walaza had the best chance of the half when he sped through on goal, beat Phali but hit the upright.
The second half saw Cosmos pressing hard for a goal with Anthony Laffor and Bamuza Sono leading the attack for Ezenkosi. Zambia striker Davies Mwape weaved past a few defenders and chipped the ball goalwards but, unluckily for him, Lekgwathi cleared it off the line.
With the game drawing to a close, Pirates threw everything into the attack and Lekgwathi was on hand to finish off a move that was too quick for the referee and his assistants. – Sapa