Fourth loss for Bucs
AmaZulu break duck to beat Tuks
THE struggle continued for Orlando Pirates last night as they succumbed to defeat ahead of Saturday’s crunch Soweto derby clash against Kaizer Chiefs. The Buccaneers made schoolboy errors in their 2-1 defeat to Steve Komphela’s Maritzburg United team, giving away the ball cheaply. They were no threat going forward either, shooting waywardly when opportunities appeared in one of their worst performances of the season.
Coach Vladimir Vermezovic will be uneasy after the team’s fourth defeat of the Absa Premiership season.
But credit should also be giving to Maritzburg, who went to Gauteng to do what any away team would do – frustrate their opponents and catch them on the counter.
Komphela’s men got off to the perfect start as they snatched the lead after just two minutes through two-goal hero Mohammed Anas.
The Ghanaian forward was quickest to react to a cross played in from the left flank, slotting home at the near post to leave the players, technical team and supporters of Pirates all stunned.
The Buccaneers pulled one back just after the half-hour mark when Kermit Erasmus scored his first league goal since August.
Left back Thabo Matlaba turned villain when he dilly-dallied with the ball in his own box, allowing Maritzburg’s Mondli Cele to steal the ball and pass it to Anas, who easily tapped home with the last kick of the half.
It proved the winner for Maritzburg, who move up to third place with 20 points, 10 behind leaders Chiefs.
Meanwhile, Steve Barker’s magic saw AmaZulu finally break their PSL duck with a hard-earned win over Pretoria University (Tukkies).
AmaZulu were fortunate to earn a free kick in the second minute, but failed to capitalise.
AmaZulu’s first goal, from Sadat OuroAkoriko, was the result of a goalmouth scramble. It was messy but deserved after a good 40 minutes. They made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute. Geoffrey Massa made no mistake with his 68th-minute set piece, his 23m rocket leaving Tapuwa Kapini cement-footed on his line. – Additional reporting by Khanyiso Tshwaku