Orlando Pirates picked up their first DStv Premiership victory of the season as a late Siphesihle Ndlovu stunner handed the Buccaneers a 1-0 win over Bloemfontein Celtic.

The Soweto giants came into the game without their head coach after he left South Africa to travel to Germany for a family emergency, while last season’s top-scorer, Gabadinho Mhango, and Thulani Hlatshwayo were also not involved as Fadlu Davids took charge of the side.

It wasn’t the best of starts for Davids as he was forced into action early on after Thembinkosi Lorch was forced off with an injury after just 12 minutes to be replaced by Deon Hotto.

Celtic got off to the better start, though, and had the first opening with 15 minutes gone as Sello Matjila forced Richard Ofori into a save after a lively start to the clash.

The Sea Robbers were struggling to create an opening despite their possession and were almost on target with 10 minutes to play in the half as Motebang Sera steered his shot just wide of Ofori’s near post.

It was 0-0 at the break.

Despite trying to up the ante, it was more of the same in the second half with chances at a premium.

Happy Jele went close with a header from Hotto’s flick-on before Matjila fired wide of the upright at the other end with 55 minutes gone.

Pirates were beginning to threaten and forced Chaine into action on 68 minutes when Vincent Pule released Zakhele Lepasa, but the Celtic shotstopper did well to the deny the striker.

The breakthrough finally came with 12 minutes to play as Ndlovu curled a fantastic effort into the back of the net.

Ndlovu’s strike proved to secure three points for Pirates, who will now focus 0n Sunday’s MTN8 clash with Kaizer Chiefs.