Daniels strike sinks Orlando Pirates

Clayton Daniels scored the winning goal but Ronwen Williams proved the hero as SuperSport United breathed new life into their Absa Premiership title challenge with a 1-0 victory over Orlando Pirates at the Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday.

Daniels headed home in the second period to give SuperSport a deserved victory that leaves them five points off pacesetters BidVest Wits and clinging onto hopes.

Pirates defender Happy Jele had a penalty saved by Williams as the Bafana Bafana gloveman made a series of superb stops to deny the visitors, who remain four points behind Wits with a third of the season played.

The Buccaneers have now gone six games without a win in all competitions, and suffered a first Absa Premiership defeat in 16 games since a loss to Bloemfontein Celtic in August.

Pirates coach Micho their championship Sredojevic made three changes from the side that lost to African champions Esperance last time out, bringing in Abbubaker Mobara, Musa Nyatama and Xola Mlambo for Paseka Mako, Linda Mntambo and Asavela Mbekile.

Pirates were unfortunate early on when Nyatama had the ball in the back of the net, but the match officials ruled he was offside when replays showed he was at least a yard on.

Evans Rusike bore down on goal on the hour-mark but his low drive was straight at Wayne Sandilands, and minutes later SuperSport got the goal their play deserved.

Aubrey Modiba’s corner from the left was headed home by Daniels, the Matsatsantsa defender left unmarked having given Pirates a warning in the first half.

Pirates were given a lifeline when Rusike handled the ball just inside the box and referee Victor Hlungwani pointed to the spot but Jele’s penalty was poor and saved by Williams.

Happy Jele’s penalty was poor and saved by United’s Ronwen Williams