Pirates’ struggles continue
ORLANDO Pirates continued to search for their elusive win since the restart as they failed to close in on the top three yesterday thanks to this loss to the Capetonians at Loftus Versfeld.
There was a time when Pirates seemed that they would make a come-from-behind push for the title. But such has been their downfall in recent months that they have not won in six league matches.
This loss yesterday ensured that they remained fifth on the standings with 43 points as they continue to struggle to close in on leaders Kaizer Chiefs and second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, who are gradually making the chase for the title a twohorse race.
Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer has remained adamant in his sentiments, saying that they are targeting for a respectable finish, especially after rescuing the team from the doldrums of the bottom half of the log-standings, steering the team to the top five.
A chunk of ‘The Ghost’, from thereon, believed that they can go all the way, especially after seven wins, three draws and one loss in Zinnbauer’s first 11 matches in charge. Those results were inspired by the scoring spree of Ghabadinho Mhango.
But such has been the Malawians’ fall from grace that his lead of 14 goals was matched by Highlands Park’s striker Peter Shalulile on Saturday against Baroka FC.
Mhango didn’t even start yesterday’s game as Tshegofatso Mabasa, who scored in the last game against Baroka, led the attacking contingent.
The former Bloemfontein Celtic striker should have opened the scoring in the eighth-minute after being teed up by Vincent Pule.
But that didn’t bear any fruit as he put his close-range effort wide of Peter Leeuwenburgh’s goal.
But the Citizens – who were down to 10-man after Mpho Makola’s red card – would flip the script and capitalise on their chances, thanks to the on-form striker Kermit Erasmus.
He nearly put his team ahead in the 16th-minute but his close-range header was cleared off the line by Pirates captain Happy Jele.
But Erasmus wouldn’t be denied twice, heading in after a delightful delivery by captain Thamsanqa Mkhize on the right flank.
In the second half, Pirates added more numbers going foward: Luvuyo Memela, Siphesihle Ndlovu, Mhango and Linda Mntambo replaced Mabasa, Nkanyiso Zungu, Pule and Paseka Mako respectively.
But Pule nearly made an invaluable contribution before his exit, forcing Leeuwenburgh into a flying save after thunderbolt halfvolley shot from a close-range.
Despite those efforts, the Citizens nearly added the second goal but Erasmus’ goal was ruled offside after a Craig Martin shot came off birthday-boy and goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands.