Red-hot Mbuthuma fires Pirates past Arrows and Chiefs!

Orlando Pirates defeated Golden Arrows 3-1 at the King Zwelithini Stadium to go second on the Premier Soccer League table.

The Buccaneers came into the match knowing a win was vital in their bid to stay in touch with the top teams.

Having beaten Arrows in the last six consecutive games and drawn just twice in the last four seasons was definitely going to be a confidence booster for the Soweto giants.

Abafana Bes’thende were definitely keen on collecting maximum points and inflict pain in the Buccaneer’s bid to challenge for the PSL crown.

Ndaba delivers for the Buccaneers

The Soweto giants started the match on a high, pressing from the first whistle hoping to get an early goal and set the tempo. However, their hosts defended quite well, relying on counter attacks.

Sihle Nduli forced Xolani Ngcobo into a fine save in the 16th minute after being given space just outside the area. Two minutes later, Sipho Mbule’s effort missed the target by inches.

The deadlock was eventually broken in the 22nd minute; a dangerous ball into the dangerzone was not cleared, eventually falling to Nkosikhona Ndaba whose fierce shot was deflected into the net to make it 1-0 in favour of the Soweto giants.

In the 25th minute, Arrows almost scored an equaliser but Jerome Karelse reacted late to the loose ball in the final third. The best chance, nevertheless, fell to Sboniso Madonsela but Sipho Chaine was equal to the task.

Mbuthuma brace seals win for Bucs

Even after the break, Pirates looked the most dangerous when attacking owing to the quality within their squad.

Oswin Appollis saw his effort miss the target by inches in the 53rd minute before Evidence Makgopa’s on-target effort was blocked by a Golden Arrows defender much to the relief of the custodian and his teammates.

In the 72nd minute, Bucs were punished for not using their chances as Arrows broke from the left, before Angelo Van Rooi found Khumalo Thokozani who did well to hold off his marker before making it 1-1.

Pirates, however, restored their lead two minutes later thanks to Patrick Maswanganyi who teed-up Yanela Mbuthuma, and the striker, who had replaced Makgopa, took his chance.

The win was sealed in the 89th minute as the returning Relebohile Mofokeng lofted the ball intelligently to Mbuthuma who left the defender and the goalkeeper for dead before hitting the roof to make it 3-1.

Bucs have now climbed above Kaizer Chiefs to the second position with 22 points, the same as their traditional rivals who have an inferior goal difference.