Pirates edge Sekhukhune to end winless run in the league

Orlando Pirates ended their winless streak in their DStv Premiership after fighting their way back into the game to secure a 2-1 victory over Sekhukhune United at the Orlando Stadium on Tuesday.

The Buccaneers had gone four games without a win prior to the Sekhukhune tie, but managed to bounce back to winning ways against the Limpopo side thanks to an incredible fighting spirit in the second half. with the visitors having scored in the first half.

It was a slow start to the game, with both sides failing to make any real chances. But, the last minutes of the first half and the second half saw some enterprising football from both teams.

Babina Noko also had an opportunity to be in the lead after a failed clearance found Chibuike Ohizu just outside the box, but the striker’s attempt went over the bar early in the game. In the 39^th minute, the Buccaneers went on an  attack with Bandile Shandu combining well with Linda Mntambo, but Shandu’s shot went off target.

With four minutes left before half-time, the visitors’ nice build-up saw them going into the lead with a beautifully taken curler by Brandon Parusnath. Pirates didn’t keep their heads down as they went in search for an equaliser, but their attempts weren’t fruitful as Sekhukhune went into half-time in the driver’s seat.

Desperate for an equaliser, Pirates brought in three fresh legs just 10 minutes into the second half, bringing on Kwame Peprah, Terrence Dzvukamanja and Kabelo Dlamini to try and fight their way back into the match.

The Buccaneers almost made a come-back with Dzvukamanja’s acrobatic effort just after that, but Nsabata was well positioned to make a great save.

The home side kept on searching for a goal, and they were rewarded with a penalty in the 76th min when the ball hit Ryan De Jongh’s hand inside the box. Mntambo converted the penalty.

A minute later Dlamini gave Pirates the lead with a wonderfully taken shot that proved to be the winning goal for the Buccaneers.