Bucs win to stay in chase for title
Nyatama, Mulenga punish Celtic
The “soul healing” project remains on course for Orlando Pirates following their 2-1 victory against Bloemfontein Celtic last night.
Musa Nyatama, a former Celtic player, put the Buccaneers ahead with a free header from a corner after just 17 minutes, but Lorenzo Gordinho found the equaliser for the visitors early in the second half.
Bucs’ recent signing Augustine Mulenga had the last say, though, with a cracking strike.
The souls of the Bucs faithful may or may not be healed after almost four seasons without silverware, because the log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns also won in Pretoria where they beat Chippa United 2-0.
But there is hope for Micho Sredojevic’s side and without a doubt, appear to be a side determined to fight to the bitter end just as they did against Celtic.
The reality is that the Buccaneers are desperate for silverware.
Bucs players, to their credit, have been responding well on the field and the match against the visitors was no exception.
Before Nyatama – nicknamed Musalidinho by his coach – put his name on the scoresheet, Thembinkosi Lorch had tested Patrick Tignyemb on a couple of occasions, but couldn’t beat the Cameroonian.
Celtic could have equalised just before the interval, but Jacky Motshegwa fired over the bar from close range.
It didn’t take long for Celtic to level matters through Gordinho just two minutes into the second half.
No one from Pirates’s side could have been more disappointed to concede than centre-back and captain Happy Jele, who was making his 200th appearance since his debut for the Buccaneers over a decade ago.
Former Pirates striker Ndumiso Mabena was close to a second for Celtic when he attempted to score with his left foot just after the hour mark, but Siyabonga Mpontshane applied a touch to make a save.
Sredojevic threw caution to the wind by taking off the defenders Jele and Marshall Munetsi, then introduced attacking players in Thamsanqa Gabuza and Mulenga.
The move paid off firstly with Gabuza forcing Gordinho into a foul and the latter was sent off.
With 10 men, Celtic were pushed back and Mulenga took full advantage when he beat Tignyemb hands down.
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