Wasteful Pirates get stung late by Tuks

THABO Mosadi’s 84th-minute breakaway goal has left Orlando Pirates’ Absa Premiership hopes hanging by a thread.

For Bucs it was the same old story of not being able to put away chances. They remain fifth. With a 13-point gap from leaders Kaizer Chiefs, Pirates can not be called out of the race with two games in hand.

But a priority for new coach Vladimir Vermezovic, once he officially takes the reins today, will be to improve Bucs’ finishing if they are to stand any chance of closing that gap.

Vermezovic got a work permit on Friday but Bucs opted for caretaker Eric Tinkler to sit on the bench for a seventh game.

Tinkler could not end with a third win in a row to add to Bucs’ victories against Free State Stars and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Pirates clearly had ambitions to move the ball in Tuks’ half. But there was no end result.

Coming into the game in 11th, Steve Barker’s team would settle for any points to maintain a gap between themselves and a burdensome survival scramble. Their hard work paid off with an unexpected victory.

Bucs came close with two set pieces in the opening 15 minutes. Khethowakhe Masuku’s free kick found Helder Pelembe, but the striker headed wide. Then Mpho Makola’s looping effort was tipped over by goalkeeper Washington Arubi.

In the 38th minute a back-heel from Pelembe put Thabo Matlaba in, the left back’s cross finding Oupa Manyisa, whose shot was deflected for a corner.

Another clear chance went begging for Pirates 20 minutes into the second half. Sifiso Myeni burst free on the left and pulled back a pass that Pelembe opted to step over when in an ideal position to shoot.

Thandani Ntshumayelo volleyed into the side-netting, and Kermit Erasmus, on for Myeni in the 70th, blasted over when played in by Matlaba.

And as often happens when a side is frustrated in front of goal, Pirates conceded. From Arubi’s goal-kick substitute Lucky Mathosi flicked on and Mosadi stabbed past Meyiwa.

Kaizer Chiefs qualified for the final phase of the Caf Champions League group yesterday. Knowledge Musona scored a hat-trick in the second leg in Maputo against Liga Muculmana to add to a 4-0 first-leg win last week.