Pirates walk plank
SUNK WITHOUT TRACE: NO POINTS FOR MICHO’S MEN
Second defeat in a row piles the pressure on coach Sredojevic.
It wasn’t a “Soul Sunday” for Micho Sredojevic and his Orlando Pirates side as they lost 1-0 to Bloemfontein Celtic at the Free State Stadium yesterday. Sredojevic has been emphasising the need to “feed the healed souls” of the Pirates supporters since the beginning of the season, but things are not going accordingly for the Bucs coach as they suffered their second league loss in two games after losing to Bidvest Wits in a midweek clash at the Orlando Stadium.
Celtic, meanwhile, continue to enjoy a fairy tale start this campaign under Steve Komphela, making it three wins in a row for the Free State outfit who have not conceded a single goal, while scoring five themselves.
Celtic are now second with nine points, while Pirates are ninth with four points.
The game began with the home side proving a threat in the early stages with rightwinger Tebogo Potsane a constant menace to the Bucs back four.
It didn’t take them long to take the lead after Alfred Ndengane’s header hit the bar. The ball fell into the path of leftback Bongani Sam who hammered home for the only goal of the game in the 16th minute.
Pirates had an opportunity of their own just four minutes later with Thamsanqa Gabuza failing to connect with a cross from the left, his effort going wide of Patrick Tingnyemb’s goal.
With Bucs trailing in the second half, the visitors put early pressure on Phunya Sele Sele, but the Celtic defence and Tingnyemb remained resolute.
Sredojevic made an attacking change with his side desperate for a goal, taking off leftback Phetso Maphanga and bringing on striker Justin Shonga.
Pirates, like in their previous games, were able to enjoy plenty of possession, but putting the ball into the back of the net is proving difficult.
With the game heading to a close, captain Happy Jele had a glorious chance to level the scores, but his attempt flew wide of the target, giving Komphela’s side the points.