Maswanganyi Strikes Late As Pirates Edge Polokwane City
Orlando Pirates left it late as Patrick Maswanganyi scored in the 90th minute to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory over Polokwane City in a Betway Premiership clash at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday.
The match looked destined for a draw after Bonginkosi Dlamini equalised four minutes from time. He reacted quickest to Puleng Marema’s header inside the box and beat Sipho Chaine with a first-time finish, seemingly handing Pirates a costly setback in the title race.
However, Maswanganyi, who had earlier squandered a clear opportunity, made amends in stoppage time. He capitalised on Deon Hotto’s cross to tap into an empty net after goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula was caught off his line.
Pirates Stay Top as Title Race Intensifies
The victory sees Pirates retain top spot with 44 points from 19 matches. Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. are level on points after beating Lamontville Golden Arrows F.C. at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday but remain second due to an inferior goal difference.
Coach Abdelsam Ouaddou’s men dominated proceedings and would have had only themselves to blame had they dropped points. Pirates entered the fixture brimming with confidence following their emphatic 3-0 Soweto Derby win over Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
The Buccaneers also carried an impressive record against Polokwane, having not lost to them in 17 league meetings since the Limpopo side’s first top-flight campaign. That run includes this season’s reverse fixture and an MTN8 quarter-final clash earlier in the campaign.
Missed Chances and Turning Points
Pirates started brightly and should have taken the lead in the seventh minute. Evidence Makgopa, restored to the starting line-up ahead of Yanela Mbuthuma, found himself clean through on goal, but Mathebula produced a fine save to deny him.
Andre de Jong and Oswin Appollis also came close in the opening stages as Pirates camped in the hosts’ half.
On the stroke of half-time, referee Luxolo Badi initially awarded a penalty for handball against Tlou Nkwe after Makgopa’s header was blocked in a scramble. However, the decision was correctly overturned after consultation with his assistant, as the ball had struck Nkwe’s body first.
Seven minutes into the second half, Pirates finally broke the deadlock. Relebohile Mofokeng — recently named Player of the Month for January and February — headed home after Appollis’ goal-bound effort had been saved by Mathebula.
At that stage, Sundowns were leading their match and temporarily sat top of the table on goal difference. De Jong nearly doubled Pirates’ advantage on the hour mark, but his header drifted just wide.
Maswanganyi then missed a gilt-edged opportunity in the 83rd minute, bending his run perfectly but firing wide. Pirates were punished moments later when Dlamini stunned the visitors with an 86th-minute equaliser, catching Chaine off his line.
But Maswanganyi had the final say, scoring in the dying minutes to ensure Pirates maintained their grip on top spot. The Betway Premiership title race between Pirates and Sundowns is shaping up to be a thrilling battle.
