Buccaneers see Stars in Bethlehem
● Free State Stars finished their 2018 home league programme on a high note when they beat Orlando Pirates 2-1 at Goble Park in Bethlehem yesterday.
Abbubaker Mobara’s own goal and Sinethemba Jantjie’s winner condemned Pirates to a third league defeat of the season. They are now lying fourth with 19 points.
With the victory being their sixth of the season, Stars moved to the second spot with 22 points. They have a chance to increase that tally when they next face league champions Bidvest Wits on Wednesday.
While the quality of the match left a lot to be desired, both Pirates and Stars created enough first-half chances to take the lead. The former saw more of the ball and had more shots at goal but couldn’t beat the hosts’ goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare.
Oddly, hosts Ea lla Koto had the first crack at goal in the 20th minute through Siphelele Mthembu but Buccaneers goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane foiled the attempt. Pirates responded seven minutes later through Mpho Makola’s thunderbolt but that started Sangare’s sublime goalkeeping evening.
Sangare was on hand to produce a great save from Thabo Rakhale in the 35th minute.
Mabokgwane was also kept busy when he had to save Goodman Dlamini’s shot in the 41st minute. Pirates should have scored on the stroke of half time but midfielder Luvuyo Memela’s first touch failed him while Thabiso Kutumela’s shot was blocked.
The second half lit up when the evening weather cooled down and Pirates continued to dominate.
Sangare had to watch shots from Makola (47th) and had to save Rakhale’s 54thminute shot. Stars took the lead in the 55th minute when Mobara guided the ball into his own net when he tried to dispossess Jantjie.
Pirates though responded five minutes later when Kutumela latched onto a long ball and forced a save from Bangare with his initial shot before bundling in the rebound. Pirates again dominated proceedings but could not pierce the resolute Stars defence.
Jantjie capped a superb evening’s work with a controversial but deserved 84thminute goal when Mabokgwane failed to collect Thabo Maphakisa’s cross. He bundled the ball into the back of the net from the ensuing scramble. The Buccaneers were up in arms but the goal stood and settled the tie.