Orlando Pirates Reserves came from a goal down to claim a dramatic 2-1 win in their DStv Diski Challenge clash against Stellenbosch on Sunday.
The game played at Malta Park featured a spirited second-half performance from the Bucs Reserves, who bounced back from the disappointment of their previous result to bag three crucial points on the road. They also ended a five-match winless run against the defending champions, who came into the fixture on the back of an excellent run of form.
Faced with the unenviable task of vanquishing the team from Winelands in their own backyard, the visitors had a few promising moments on attack early on. Lebo Mohlala was first to fire a shot on target, bringing out an excellent save from Dejean Ah Shene in the sixth minute. A similar result greeted Simphiwe Masilela two minutes later as he too could not find a way past the Stellies shot-stopper after linking up with Kabelo Moagi.
The home side’s first real attempt at the Pirates goal came through a free kick taken from just outside the box, which resulted in a shot that drifted narrowly off target. Bucs midfielder Kgwadi Molepo followed suit at the other end with an effort from range, which also went inches wide.
Some nervy moments at the back nearly allowed the hosts in for the opener in the first half, but the defensive pair of Nelson Ralenkoane and Mbekezeli Mbokazi stood were on hand to make some crucial interventions. Goalkeeper Bayanda Zulu also got into the action late in the second half, keeping out a shot from a free kick taken from just in front.
Pirates nearly had the final say in the opening period, following a powerful shot from Moagi, which was tipped over the bar by Ah Shene. Despite chances at both ends, the halftime whistle sounded with the two sides still deadlocked.
Level parity was however short-lived, as the young Maroons took the lead seconds after the restart through Quwan Plaatjies, who latched onto the rebound from an earlier shot from teammate Ethan Felix.
Pirates’ attempts at drawing level were rebuffed by Stellies, who conjured up some opportunities of their own with the woodwork coming to the visitors’ rescue on the hour mark. Mohlala went close two minutes later, but his shot was kept out by Ah Shene.
Movement from the bench proved to be the tonic needed by the Buccaneers, who brought on Aphelele Nzimande and Mehluleli Maphumulo in the 67th minute. The duo made an immediate impact as they combined to produce the equaliser just moments after coming on.
It was Maphumulo who provided the finishing touch as he met an excellent cross from Nzimande and calmly slotted home. This set up an intense finish to the contest, with things getting heated out in the middle.
The Soweto Giants’ toil paid off in the last minute when Maphumulo capped off his excellent cameo with his second goal of the morning, putting his side in the lead for the first time in the match. This left the visitors with a tricky few minutes of injury time to navigate, and they came out of it unscathed to seal a win that took them to just two points behind their hosts, who remain top of the standings.
Pirates XI: Zulu, Mbokazi, Ralenkoane,Selepe, Mhlambi (Maphumulo 67’), Molepo, Mohlala, Moagi, Mokoena (Dansin 90’), Masilela (Nzimande 67’), Msezane (Ngwenya 76’).
