There was reason for only half of Soweto’s soccer fans to celebrate on Wednesday evening as Orlando Pirates won, while Kaizer Chiefs were held to a draw in their respective Betway Premiership fixtures.
The Buccaneers picked up a 1-0 win over Polokwane City at the Orlando Stadium, while just 7.5km away at FNB Stadium, Amakhosi were held to a goalless draw by Siwelele FC.
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Tshepang Moremi’s sixth-minute goal saw Orlando Pirates close the gap at the top of the Betway Premiership standings.
The Buccaneers extended their winning streak in the league to six games and are now just three points behind league-leaders Mamelodi Sundowns with two games in hand.
Polokwane City could not keep up with the hosts and were handed their third loss of the season in the league. The Limpopo-based outfit remain sixth on the standings with 15 points from 10 games.
Updated Betway Premiership standings
Fast start
The hosts got off to a hot start with Oswin Appolis’s cross was pushed away from goal by goalkeeper Brian Bwire into the path of Tshepang Moremi, who pounced on the loose ball, converting from close range for his second league goal of the season.
In the 23rd minute, Moremi had a chance to snatch his second of the game as he received a chip in the box from Patrick Maswanganyi. The winger scuffed his effort as he attempted to hit the ball first-time.
Rise and Shine’s first real opportunity of the half came from a free-kick in the 32nd minute, but the header that followed the delivery was off target.
Maswanganyi nearly bagged a goal of his own in the 34th minute as his curler from outside the area sailed narrowly wide of goal.
Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine was called into action in the 36th minute as Bonginkosi Dlamini stole on the edge of the area the ball to put himself through on goal. Dlamini’s touch was too heavy and Chaine rushed forward, getting to the ball first.
The visitors received a free-kick from scoring distance in first-half stoppage time and Manuel Kambala nearly beat Chaine along the ground, but the goalkeeper pushed the ball aside for a corner.
Took a deflection
In the 48th minute, Appolis’s shot from the edge of the box took a deflection and was easily scooped up by Bwire.
Evidence Makgopa squandered a chance to double Orlando Pirates’ lead in the 59th minute, as he made contact with Maswanganyi’s cross but hit the upright from close range.
Substitute Yanela Mbuthuma tried to find the top right corner in the 68th minute but was denied by a diving Bwire.
The Polokwane City goalkeeper was called into action again in the 70th minute, denying Maswanganyi’s close range curler with a super save.
Appolis was denied a goal against his former side in the 74th minute as his effort from in line with the penalty spot was blocked.
In stoppage time, Maswanganyi could not take advantage of superior numbers charging into the Polokwane box as he was dispossessed before he could play through a potential assist.
Orlando Pirates will shift their attention to the CAF Champions League as they look to overcome a three-goal deficit on Saturday when they welcome Saint-Éloi Lupopo to the Orlando Stadium (15:00).
Polokwane City are next in action on Saturday, 1 November when they host Richards Bay at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
TEAMS
Orlando Pirates
S. Chaine, L. Seema, M. Mbokazi, K. Sebelebele (S. Ndlozi 72’), N. Ndaba, S. Nduli, M. Nemtajela, P. Maswanganyi, O. Appolis (N. Sibisi 87’), T. Moremi (K. Dlamini 65’), E. Makgopa (Y. Mbuthuma 65’)
Polokwane City
B. Bwire, T. Matuludi, T. Nkwe, L. Nkaki, M. Mvundela, M. Kambala, R. Daniels (S. Mashini 77’), N. Maphangule (S. Kelepu 82’), B. Dlamini, S. Tshabalala (M. Ramabu 77’), B. Mnguni (P. Marema 46’)
Lost ground
Kaizer Chiefs lost more ground on the Betway Premiership frontrunners after being held to a 0-0 draw by struggling Siwelele at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday.
The Glamour Boys had almost three times as many shots at goal as Lehlohonolo Seema’s side, but they didn’t work Ricardo Goss nearly enough to earn all three points.
Amakhosi were seeking their first win in four games, having played out to a 1-1 draw with AmaZulu most recently on October 1, while Siwelele looked to build on their 1-0 victory over Marumo Gallants three days earlier which lifted them off the foot of the table up to 14th position.
The possession stakes were fairly even in the first half, but Kaizer Chiefs posed the greater danger, although it was the visitors who created the first two chances as Brandon Petersen made a routine save on three minutes before he reacted well to block a shot from close range in the 17th minute.
Goss was called into action for the first time moments later to keep out a long-ranged effort from Mduduzi Shabalala and he was relieved to see Mfundo Vilakazi flash a shot narrowly wide of goal on 21 minutes.
The final action of the half saw Reeve Frosler fire inches over the crossbar on 40 minutes and Zita Kwinika also failed to keep his shot down three minutes after the restart.
Missed the target
The hosts continued to push for the opening goal as half-time substitute Makabi Lilepo missed the target with an attempt on 52 minutes before Frosler was guilty of failing to test Goss once more with a wayward strike in the 54th minute.
Frosler was presented with another opportunity on 71 minutes and he did at least manage to test Goss on this occasion, while Petersen had to be at his best soon afterwards when Chibuike Ohizu made contact with Christian Saile’s cross and forced him into a diving save.
However, both defences held firm in the closing stages and the two teams had to settle for a share of the spoils in Nasrec.
TEAMS
Kaizer Chiefs
B. Petersen, R. Frosler, Z. Kwinika, I. Miguel (B. Cross 46′), A. McCarthy, T. Cele, S. Mthethwa (S. Ndlovu 69′), W. Duba (M. Lilepo 46′), M. Vilakazi (G. Sirino 70′), M. Shabalala, E. Ighodaro (K. Mayo 70′)
Siwelele
R. Goss, Y. Mfolozi, P. Sanoka, T. Makhele, N. Rapoo (A. Baliti 64′), G. Margeman, R. Mokhuoane (G. Moralo 75′), T. Potsane, V. Pule (S. Magidigidi 58′), G. Lungu (C, Saile 58′), C. Ohizu (K. Ayer 75′)
