Orlando Pirates beat Lamontville Golden Arrows 1-0 thanks to a Justin Shonga screamer at the Sugar Ray Xulu stadium on Saturday in the Absa Premiership.

Pirates came into the game looking to close the gap on Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits, and were targeting nothing less than three points.

Steve Komphela’s Golden Arrows, though, were looking to continue their rise under the former Kaizer Chiefs mentor and trying to pull further away from the teams in trouble at the bottom of the table.

There was little to choose from in terms of goalmouth action in the opening 20 minutes as both teams seemed to be feeling their way into the game.

Pirates, however, then took the lead as Justin Shonga received the ball from Luvuyo Memela before beating his man and curling his strike into the top corner.

Arrows responded well and pressed forward in search of an equaliser, but they were struggling to break down an organised Pirates defence, and when they did they were let down by their lack of end-product.

1-0 to the away side at the break after an entertaining first half.

Pirates looked to invite Arrows on early in the second half, while looking to play on the counter. This proved fruitful, with Shonga, Thembinkhosi Lorch and Vincent Pule all having chances to double their side’s lead, but they couldn’t find a way past the Arrows keeper.

As the half wore on, the Pirates midfield began to dominate the ball and dictate the pace of the game, making it difficult for Arrows to find a way back into the game.

In the end, Komphela’s men didn’t have enough to find a way to goal as the Buccaneers secured a vital victory and three points in their pursuit of the title.

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix