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.
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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 allowed 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.
- Additional reporting Pirates website.