Bucs see off Celtic, Usuthu continue fine run with win
Orlando Pirates, struggling with inconsistency at the tail end of 2020 and the start of 2021, have hit form again, methodically notching up another DStv Premiership victory 2-1 against Bloemfontein Celtic yesterday evening.
Fortune Makaringe’s 62ndminute strike separated the teams at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
It was a sign that things had been going well that coach Josef Zinnbauer made only one change to his XI for a second game in a row.
Kabelo Dlamini, who scored and set up another off the bench against Maritzburg United, came into the starting lineup for Thabang Monare.
Celtic made life tough for Bucs with a good level of organisation and a bright period just back from the break where they created two chances.
It was Pirates, though, who displayed application and concentration edging most of the rest of the 90 minutes.
Both teams struggled for a final pass in the opening half.
Paseka Mako played Vincent Pule into space in the left in the 39th, who crossed behind Deon Hotto, but was unable to keep the ball under the bar.
Celtic goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane was finally tested in the 45th, Kabelo Dlamini seeing a shot on the edge of the box blocked and the rebound looping to right-back Siphesihle Ndlovu, whose volley was low and on target.
Celtic centre-forward Victor
Letsoalo was played down the right and passed inside for the late run of Lucky Baloyi, who burst through from a one-two off substitute Harris Tchilimbou and shot into the chest of Richard Ofori.
Makaringe opened the scoring with a goal from nothing.
Receiving the ball wide on the left, the midfielder skipped past a few challenges on a run inside and punted a strike from the edge of the D that zipped in low between a diving Mabokgwane and the left upright.
AmaZulu continued with their recent rich vein of form by defeating SuperSport United 1-0 during their lively DStv Premiership encounter at the Kings Park Park Stadium in Durban yesterday.
With this hard-fought win, Usuthu are on an impressive eight-match unbeaten run, which includes five wins and three draws, as they continue to impress under the guidance of coach Benni McCarthy.
AmaZulu opened the scoring after 25 minutes through Sphelele Mthembu when he found the back of the net with a tap-in after the United defence failed to stop Augustine Mulenga’s surging run into the penalty box.
Due to the short turnaround of matches, United return to action against TS Galaxy on Friday while AmaZulu have an advantage as they only return to league action against Chippa United on Wednesday next week.
Other results:
Maritzburg United 1 v Black Leopards 0, Moroka Swallows 1 v TS Galaxy 2.