While Mamelodi Sundowns’ only goal of the match licked the back of the net in the nick of time in Pretoria to keep the league chase alive, Soweto remembered its sons of the soil with a boosting victory for Orlando Pirates’ withering Premiership 2019/20 season. Holding the middle ground were Bidvest Wits and Highlands Park failing to determine the ultimate night rider in Tembisa.
Tuesday Nov. 27, 2019 Absa Premiership League Results:
Orlando Pirates 3-2 Polokwane City
Orlando Pirates snatched and registered a rare win [3-2] over Polokwane City in the Absa Premiership league at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg last night.
Just 12 minutes in the game, Charlton Mashumba stunned the Soweto giants to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. From that point, it took 24 minutes for Pirates to level the scores (1-1), thanks to a Gabadinho Mhango 36min penalty conversion.
A moment of madness nearly spoilt a humdinger of a game set on stone in Orlando when Pirates’ Thembinkosi Lorch was brought down by Polokwane’ Puleng Tlolane on the 40th minute. Lorch fell and Tlolane blasted the ball on him. The source of amplified anger. Lorch charged towards Tlolane and the latter pushed him to the deck. Lorch collapsed to the ground dramatically; and both players were red carded outright.
Pirates caretaker coach Rhulani Mokoena said after the game that the red card was justified for Lorch because he overreacted by retaliating.
The ever reliable lively Tshegofatso Mabaso’ 66th minute goal made it 2-1 for the home side. To cap the homecoming cheerful night, Kabelo Dlamini 77th strike drove the Buccaneers to maddening joy. With the scoreline at 3-1, Pirates knew victory was within touch. They held on for its vitality injury time where Pirates temporarily choked.
Mpho Mvelase’s goal [90’1] reduced the deficit to just one and almost turned the game on its head. The Rise and Shine were back in the game but time was not on their side. The nail-biting match ended with bums on the edge of the seats at a scintillating 3-2 scoreline.
Buccaneers‘ 4th victory of the season takes them to 16 points and moved up by two positions to 7th (from 9th) on the log after 12 torrid games. Polokwane City remain 10 notwithstanding their 7th league loss in the current period.
Although the Polokwane City players nearly grabbed a point away from home, their coach Owen Da Gama shot a resigned face and looked consumed by disappointment. The plainly jovial Mokoena lauded his players for a “spirited performance” they displayed in clawing back to an important victory for the team.
Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 AmaZulu FC
Jose Meza’s [45+3′] goal saw Sundowns cut Kaizer Chiefs lead to seven (7) points with a slender (1-0) win against Amazulu FC at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria Tuesday night.
Usuthu‘ league run trouble just got worse with a loss. They remain 15th in the league standings. Masandawana’ points tally notched 21; (they are) equal on 11 games with the log leaders [Chiefs] playing Wednesday night of Nov. 27, 2019.
On one end, Sundowns’ defense and/or challenge for the league title will intensify with every game and every positive result; on the other end, Amazulu’ relegation battle magnifies with every passing league fixture.
Highlands Park 1-1 Bidvest Wits
At Makhulong Stadium, Highlands Park drew 1-1 with Bidvest Wits on Wednesday night clash in Tembisa.
The Lions of the North took the lead through their prolific striker Peter Shalulile [41′]. Certain of victory, Thabang Monare [90+2′] stole the thunder away from Highlands Park and gave the Clever Boys a point away from home right at the tail end of the league match.
Even though both clubs are equal on 16 points, Wits are positioned 5th after just eight (8) games and Highlands Park 6th on the log after 12 matches.