Pirates thrash Wits
Bucs move to second spot with 4-0 win in eerie game at empty stadium
IN the bizarre silence, punctuated just by the shouts of the players and of coaches from the benches of a closed-doors Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Orlando Pirates secured second place in the Absa Premiership with last night’s 4-0 trouncing of Bidvest Wits.
The Buccaneers also managed to keep alive a highly unlikely chance of catching leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, held to a 2-2 draw away against Maritzburg United.
Downs (on 56 points) would need fewer than two points from their remaining two matches, and Pirates to win both of theirs, for the Buccaneers (52 points) to be champions.
Sifiso Hlanti’s own goal in the 13th minute, Augustine Mulenga’s 38th-minute strike, and Justin Shonga’s 41st-minute penalty made it 3-0 to Pirates by the break.
Mulenga made it 4-0 in the 58th with his second.
This strangest of games played in front of the handful of journalists, TV personnel, police, media and officials, had its significance.
The fixture saw Pirates return to the Caf Champions League by moving an unattainable nine points clear of third-placed Maritzburg (43 points).
For PSL champions Wits, who remain rooted in 11th place, the ignominy of relinquishing their title outside of a top-eight finish now seems ever more likely.
For a game played in eerie silence, with no crowd, it was a surprisingly decent match-up, mostly because Pirates were in an unforgiving mood.
They were the team quicker to the ball, applying pressure and able to profit from the consequent mistakes, in the first half.
Wits, though, had an early chance from a Pirates error.
Gladwin Shitolo’s attempted clearance met Vincent Pule, the rebound falling for Eleazar Rodgers alone in front of goal, who should have been ruled offside.
The striker still could not beat Siyabonga Mpontshane, who spread himself well.
Augustine Mulenga was played down the left and touched inside to Luvuyo Memela, whose attempt at a shot skewed off his right boot at a surprised Hlanti, who could only turn the ball past goalkeeper Kyle Peters. Then, with Justin Shonga charging him down, Clever Boys defender Buhle Mkhwanazi attempted to swing a pass from the deep in his half.
Mulenga intercepted, ran through and buried a finish.
In the 39th, Nazeer Allie clattered down Mulenga on the left of Wits’ area and referee Victor Hlungwani pointed to the spot. Shonga struck low and to the left of Peters.
Wits started the second half as they had the first, with a chance, Pule’s rocket being tipped over by Mpontshane.
But Pirates’ procession of goals continued, the irrepressible Mulenga taking advantage, from Luvuyo Memela’s pass in from the right, of a Wits central defence that opened like the Red Sea to Moses, and slotting past Peters.
Meanwhile, SuperSport United live to fight another day in their battle to avoid the dreaded play-offs.
They narrowly beat Free State Stars 3-2 with a last-minute winner from substitute Teboho Mokoena in Atteridgeville last night, but remain third from the bottom with only one point separating them from Ajax Cape Town below them.
Kaitano Tembo will know that they must win their remaining two league matches against Chippa United and Baroka FC to leave nothing to chance.
The worst-case scenario for United may see them play in the playoffs as Platinum Stars lost 2-1 to AmaZulu in Rustenburg.
United opened the scoring from a penalty that was converted by Thabo Mnyamane after 11 minutes after Stars defender Patrick Phungwayo was hit by the ball on the arm in the box.
Stars finally got it right 10 minutes after the break when a goal-bound shot by Goodman Dlamini bounced off the back of unfortunate United defender Richard Boateng into his own net.
A few minutes after the hour mark, United retook the lead through a close-range effort by Modiba but Nyiko Mobbie equalised with a thunderous free kick in the 76th minute.
However, United had the last laugh as Mokoena sneaked behind the Stars’ defence to blast home Phala’s cross and give them the much-needed three points in the 90th minute.