Pirates defeat City 2-1 to go top

Orlando Pirates produced a breath-taking second half performance to eke out a deserved 2-1 victory away over Polokwane City, a team they had failed to beat in three successive seasons.

Second half goals by Brazilian defender Marcelo da Silva in the 58th minute and a brilliant free-kick by Zambian striker Justin Shonga in the 60th minute gave the Buccaneers the three points that took them two points clear of Bidvest Wits on top of the Absa Premiership table.

Ayanda Nkili pulled one goal back with a thunderous header from a corner kick for City in the 90th minute.

Pirates had struggled to find their top gear in this match with the goalless first half score-line suggesting a seventh successive draw was in the offing before Da Silva’s first goal in Bucs colours and Shonga’s second goal of the season completely changed the complexion of this match.

It was City, the home side, who had produced better chances in this match before Da Silva headed in the opening goal off George Chigova’s save.

Chigova had parried Nyasha Munetsi’s header to Da Silva’s path when the City goalkeeper was trying to save a free kick, which was drilled in by Thabo Qalinge into Polokwane’s dangerous area. Just as City were trying to recover Shonga struck again when his nicely curled free kick just outside the area beat Chigova at the near post for Bucs to take their points tally to 22 in 12 matches.

Coming to this match there was little separating these sides as they came boasting a seven match unbeaten run with Bucs sitting two points behind Wits at the top of the table after four wins and three draws, while City were third with 17 points.