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PSL wrap: Pirates suffer potential title blow

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Thato Mokeke of Cape Town City and Innocent Maela of Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates suffered a potential hammer blow in their bid to win the Absa Premiership as they conceded a late equaliser to draw 2-2 with Cape Town City. This has handed the initiative to their title rivals Mamelodi Sundowns.

Cape Town City 2:2 Orlando Pirates

In what was undoubtedly the headline game in the PSL over the weekend, the Buccaneers knew that only three points would keep their title destiny in their own hands.

They went behind early on in the piece, however, as Zukile Kewuti was in the right place to pounce on a rebound and tap home into an empty net with just a minute on the clock.

Pirates were shell-shocked by the goal, but found their feet relatively quickly as Thembinkhosi Lorch rounded off a brilliant passing move to level the scores with 15 minutes gone.

Pirates came out bustling in the second half, and Luvuyo Memela fired them ahead just five minutes after the restart as Sredojevic’s charges turned things around.

However, it was Benni’s boys who had the last laugh as they finally broke through Wayne Sandilands’ resistance in the 84th minute when Craig Martin was picked out in the box and calmly guided his header into the back of the net.

2-2 the final score, a result which sees Pirates go one point clear at the top, but Sundowns do have a game in hand and they could leapfrog the Soweto giants when they face Golden Arrows on Tuesday.

Kaizer Chiefs 1:1 Free State Stars

The Glamour Boys came into the encounter looking to snap a five-game winless run in the league, while Stars needed all the points they could get in their fight for survival.

After a tight and tense first half where both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances, it was Stars who took the lead through Sibusiso Hlubi just eight minutes into the second half.

Chiefs weren’t behind for long as Leonardo Castro was brought down in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Daniel Cardoso stepped up and calmly slotted home the penalty to level the scores.

Stars had a couple of chances late on to win the game, but some poor finishing ensured that the game finished level.

Chiefs remain seventh with the point, while Stars were lifted out of the relegation playoff spot on goal difference only.

Maritzburg United 3-1 SuperSport United

Situated at the bottom of the Absa Premiership, Maritzburg were well aware that they needed the three points to keep their hopes of survival live.

The Team of Choice got off to the perfect start as Moahu Mokate gave them the lead with just three minutes on the clock.

Matsatsantsa then hit back just after half-time through an Aubrey Modiba strike, but the home side would not lie down as they regained the lead in the 72nd minute when Judas Mosemaedi found the back of the net.

Mosemaedi then secured all three points as he bagged his brace in injury time to ensure that hopes remain alive for his side to survive heading into the final round of fixtures.

Bidvest Wits 3-1 Baroka

Wits were looking to continue putting pressure on the top two, and did well to control the game from start to finish against Baroka.

Wits went ahead just after the half-hour mark through Lehlohonolo Majoro. Wits were then reduced to 10 men when young goalkeeper Ricardo Goss received his marching orders just before half-time.

The red did not deter Wits, who doubled their lead through Cole Alexander nine minutes after the restart.
Baroka then pulled a goal back through Thendiso Patjie in the 67th minute, but Robyn Johannes made sure of all three points as he converted a spot kick in the 74th minute.

Wits remain third with the result, three points off Pirates at the top, while Baroka stay in 12th, just one point above the teams in the relegation playoff spots.

Polokwane City 1:3 Chippa United

Chippa are also involved in the relegation dogfight, but took a vital step towards avoiding the playoffs with a big win on Saturday.

The Chilli Boys took the lead through Rhulani Manzini in the 12th minute, and although Rise and Shine equalised through Mohammed Anas in the 28th minutes, Chippa went on to score two more goals, Donashano Malama and Repo Malepe getting their names on the scoresheet either side of half-time.

Chippa are up to 13th, but remain out of the playoff spots only on goal difference.

Highlands Park 1:0 Bloemfontein Celtic

In a tough and tight game between the two mid-table sides, the Lions of the North just had the edge as Tendai Ndoro netted the winner in the 86th minute, despite Mathobi Mvala being sent off 15 minutes earlier.

The result sees Highlands climb into the top 8 at the expense of Celtic, who are one spot and one point behind Owen Da Gama’s team.

AmaZulu 1:1 Black Leopards

Desperate for the points, Dylan Kerr’s team may have thought they were on their way to a massive three points as Musonda Mwape opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 69th minute.

AmaZululanded a damaging blow to Leopards’ survival hopes, however, as Sibusisio Mabiliso netted in the 82nd minute to secure a share of the spoils.

The result leaves Leopards in the playoff spot and needing all three points on the final day of the season.


Photo: Bertram Malgas/BackpagePix