A second-half strike from fullback Happy Jele helped Orlando Pirates claim back the number one spot on the log after a 2-1 Premiership win over Platinum Stars at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday.
With scores deadlocked at 1-1 and the Buccaneers facing the possibility of dropping two crucial points that would prove costly in the final stretch of the campaign, Jele found a moment when he innocuously roamed forward before unleashing a powerful shot 30m out that landed in the top of the net in the 49th minute.
Both sides had scored in the first 10 minutes with striker Chiukepo Msowoya proving troublesome to the Stars’ defence, who were clearly missing the presence of suspended centre-back Mbulelo Mabizela.
The Malawian player first probed Dinaledi goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini, forcing him to make a save as early as the fourth minute, before he supplied the cross for teammate Isaac Chansa to tap in the opener in the seventh minute.
The joy was short-lived for the “Ghost”, with Stars replying three minutes later through Sibusiso Msomi who crept behind Jele in the Pirates defence to connect with a square pass on the right flank.
With Pirates now tied on 56 points with Ajax Cape Town, they top the standings because of a better goal difference ratio while Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns are in third and fourth place respectively — this with only three games remaining in the hotly contested league campaign.
While Stars were guilty of wasting crucial chances, they were more effective and dangerous when substitute striker Bradley Grobler was offered space to manoeuvre in the second half.
In the 66th minute, Grobler fashioned a shot when he was afforded space to turn and shoot only for his effort to be pelted away by goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa.
Pirates had opportunities of their own, with winger Dikgang Mabalane forcing a save from Kapini with an effort on the left side of the box midway through the second half.
In the dying moments, midfielder Andile Jali wasted an opportunity to find a teammate in the box and instead lost the ball, having opted to try and beat an out of position Kapini himself. – Sapa