Orlando Pirates “eat” Black Leopards in Absa Premiership Clash
JOBURG – Orlando Pirates are now comfortable with a three-point lead over their rival Sundowns for the Absa Premiership title.
Orlando Pirates are now three and four points clear of the chasing pack of Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits respectively at the summit of the Absa Premiership following their 2–0 win over Black Leopards at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on 10 April.
From the first whistle, the Buccaneers made their intentions very clear in terms of wanting to collect maximum points from Lidoda Duvha, as the Limpopo outfit in Thohoyandou is well-known to their fans, as they pressed Leopards in search of goals.
Most of their raids on the Leopards’ goalmouth did not yield any fruit as the striking pair of Zambian Justin Shonga and Thembinkosi Lorch, including midfielder cum-striker Luvuyo Memela seemed to have forgotten their striking boots at home.
Chief culprit of the wayward strikes was Shonga who fluffed many a chance.
Lidoda Duvha also had their chances but were frustrated by the alert Buccaneer defence of Zimbabwean Nyasha Munetsi, captain Happy Jele and Innocent Maela, and keeper Wayne Sandilands.
The goalless status quo prevailed for most of the first half until Memela spoiled it for Lidoda Duvha when the Ghosts were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box and Memela made no mistake, giving the Buccaneers the lead as the teams went into the break.
Goals were also scarce in the second half and the Ghosts substituted Memela for Mpho Makola and Thabo Qalinge for Vincent Pule who added some oomph in the middle of the park for the Buccaneers. The substitutions did the trick and resulted in the Ghost’s second goal in the 80th minute via the head of Lorch that flew past Lidoda Duvha keeper, Rotshidzwa Muleka.
Buccaneers coach Multin Sredejovic, speaking in a post-match press conference, said at this juncture of the league it tended to be difficult and it became a situation of ‘eat or be eaten’ and that he was happy the Bucs managed to ‘eat’ on the day.
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