Qalinge Bucs’ hero with late strike
Title contenders Orlando Pirates kept the Absa Premiership race alive after edging AmaZulu FC 2-1 at the King Zwelithini Stadium yesterday. Bucs were made to sweat for their win after coming back from a goal down scored early on by Mabhuti Khenyeza, before Musa Nyatama and Thabo Qalinge made sure Bucs took home the points.
The win sees Bucs take their points tally to 49 in the league table, holding on to second spot after 27 matches and keeping the gap between them and Mamelodi Sundowns to three points.
Downs, however, have a game in hand.
Pirates enjoyed much of the possession in the first few minutes of the game, but AmaZulu couldn’t have asked for a better start in the with Khenyeza putting the home-side in front from close range in the 12th minute.
The speed of Siyabonga Nomvethe on the left side poised a lot of danger for Bucs, and they nearly conceded a second goal after some lovely play by Nomvethe and Khenyeza, who put Butholezwe Ncube in on goal, but the leftback’s effort hit the side-netting.
Thembinkosi Lorch, who has been one of the better players to watch in the Pirates team was sent through, but was fouled by Usuthu keeper Siyabonga Mbatha just outside the box.
From the resulting free-kick, Luvuyo Memela was able to pick out an unmarked Nyatama inside the box and he glanced home to give Micho Sredojevic’s men the equaliser in the 33rd minute.
A couple of minutes later Pirates were forced into a substitution after Lorch dislocated his shoulder following a challenge from AmaZulu skipper Mbongeni Gumede.
The second half produced more of the same, but neither side looked like they would be breached again.
The visitors came on stronger as AmaZulu seemed to lose their momentum and they nearly paid for it after Justin Shonga forced a great save from Mbatha in the 75th minute.
After numerous efforts to get a goal, Pirates substitute Thabo Qalinge fired the ball into the net from a tight angle in the 80th minute to put Bucs into the lead for the first time and they held on for a vital three points.