Orlando Pirates secured maximum points at the Dr Molemela Stadium after claiming a narrow 1-0 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic on Sunday afternoon, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
The Buccaneers extended their winless run in the Absa Premiership to six matches after playing out to a 0-0 draw with the Golden Arrows on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Celtic recently found a bit of form, having registered three wins in their last five league matches.
Pirates made a positive start to the encounter as Thabo Qalinge produced the first chance in the 10th minute after he latched on to a pass from Mpho Makola, before guiding his shot across the face of goal.
Phunya Sele Sele came close to breaking the deadlock three minutes later when Lantshene Phalane nearly beat Pirates keeper Jackson Mabokgwane from his own half, but his effort flew wide of the crossbar.
The visiting side dominated proceedings as the match went on, but were let down by poor decision-making in the final third.
Makola, who found himself in space, should’ve handed his side the lead after 40 minutes, but the midfielder scuffed his effort after latching on to a pass by Thamsanqa Gabuza.
Neither side could find the opening goal in the first 45 minutes as the match went into the half time interval locked at 0-0.
Ndumiso Mabena had a golden opportunity to open the scoring five minutes into the second half after he was played through on goal, but Gladwin Shitolo made a goal-saving tackle to deny the forward.
Celtic saw more possession of the ball after 10 minutes, but it was Pirates who broke the deadlock after 62 minutes when Musa Nyatama slotted the ball past Patrick Tignyemb to make it 1-0.
Phalane had a chance to equalise in the 77th minute when he tried to beat Mabokgwane from a long-range free kick, but the Pirates shot-stopper was on hand to deny his effort.
Celtic pushed forward in search of an equalising goal in the closing stages of the match, but were struggling to break down the Pirates defence in the final 10 minutes of the match.
However, the Buccaneers held on to their one-goal lead over Celtic until the final whistle to end their six-match winless run in the Absa Premiership.
In other Absa Premiership results:
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Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix