Orlando Pirates bagged a vital win on the road on Sunday when they beat Lamontville Arrows 2-1 in their DStv Premiership fixture played at Mpumalanga Stadium.
The victory stretched the Buccaneers’ winning streak to three matches, while Abafana Besthende were condemned to a fifth straight league defeat.
The game’s early chances all fell to the visitors with Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo and Karim Kimvuidi each firing wide, while Arrows keeper Sifiso Mlungwana kept out Deon Hotto’s effort from a free kick.
The home side had some bright moments of their own, pinning their Buccaneers inside their half midway through the first period, but the defence held firm throughout.
The decisive moment however came at the other end when Pirates surged forward through Karim Kimvuidi who was brought down inside the box, with the referee duly pointing to the penalty spot.
Patrick Maswanganyi stepped up to the spot and did not err in placing the ball beyond Mlungwana’s reach to put his side ahead on the half-hour mark.
The Soweto Giants could have pulled further ahead four minutes from the break when Ndlondlo’s shot from outside the box drifted wide of the target.
That proved to be a lifeline for Arrows, who were given an opportunity to draw level on the stroke of halftime when the referee awarded a penalty following Nkosinathi Sibisi’s challenge on Ryan Moon.
Skipper Nduduzo Sibiya converted from the spot, sending Bucs keeper Melusi Buthelezi the wrong way to level matters.
Pirates had a positive start to the second half and were almost back in the lead two minutes in when Evidence Makgopa teed up Ndlondlo, who misfired from close range.
The Bucs striker was able to find the net moments later, but his goal was disallowed as he was flagged offside.
The visitors continued to dictate matters and were back in the lead in the 56th minute through Kimvuidi, who calmly slotted home after a period of sustained pressure on the Arrows defence.
They continued to deprive the hosts of chances at goal and could have bagged a third goal late in the contest when Thembinkosi Lorch was denied by Mlungwana.
The offside flag again had the final say in the last minute of regulation time after Zakhele Lepasa struck the upright from a set piece, with Lorch darting forward to turn the rebound into the back of the net.
The Bucs duo connected once more inside injury time, with Lorch cutting back towards Lepasa, whose shot lacked the necessary to trouble Mlungwana.
There was one more opportunity for the visitors who came close through Relebohile Mofokeng, whose shot from a tight angle rolled wide of the target.
That proved to be the game’s last action, with the Buccaneers claiming three more points to jump to third place in the standings.
Pirates XI: Buthelezi, Sibisi, Ndah (Xoki 70’), Makaringe, Hotto, Timm, Ndlondlo, Maswanganyi (Lorch 70’), Kimvuidi, Otladisa (Dlamini 77’), Makgopa (Lepasa 70’).
