By Michael Madyira
Orlando Pirates kept alive their dream to play CAF Champions League football next season following a 1-0 Premier Soccer League victory over AmaZulu at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Tshegofatso Mabasa grabbed the all-important goal with 15 minutes to go on an evening where Pirates struggled to break down Usuthu who had Abbubaker Mobara sent off after 21 minutes.
But crucially, it was maximum points in the bag for the Buccaneers who returned to position two on the PSL table and a were given a big boost in their bid to return to the Champions League.
However, they could lose second spot if third-placed Stellenbosch beat TS Galaxy on Sunday.
Pirates welcomed back defender Tapelo Xoki from suspension as he partnered Thabiso Sesane at the heart of defence.
The visitors had midfielder Ethan Brooks returning from suspension as well, with coach Pablo Franco Martin trusting most of his players who faced the Buccaneers in a Nedbank Cup quarter-final match the previous weekend.
Usuthu almost went ahead after eight minutes but Victor Letsoalo’s connection of a Mobara freekick crashed against the woodwork.
Drama was to follow in the 21nd minute when AmaZulu were reduced to 10 men after Mobara was red-carded for a tackle on Patrick Maswanganyi on the edge of the box.
While Pirates struggled to trouble Usuthu defenders, it was the visitors who had another notable attempt at goal when Brooks forced goalkeeper Sipho Chaine to dive long and parry his effort out of play for a corner kick on the cusp of halftime.
Pirates’ first realistic chance at goal came on 67 minutes when substitute Monnapule Saleng had AmaZulu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa denying him in a one-on-one situation after being at the end of a Maswanganyi cross.
As the contest appeared to be heading for a draw, the Buccaneers finally got the breakthrough through Mabaso who tapped into the back of the net a Saleng cross.
Shortly after, a fired up Saleng then forced a good save from Mothwa as Pirates seized control of the exchanges and Usuthu could not hit back until the final whistle.
Pictured above: Orlando Pirates defender Tapelo Xoki with ball possession while being tracked by AmaZulu forward Victor Letsoalo
Image source: Orlando Pirates
