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Johannesburg - A Sifiso Myeni strike deep inside stoppage time saw Orlando Pirates snatch a late 1-0 Absa Premiership win at the death, as they defeated Bidvest Wits 1-0 at the Mbombela Stadium to keep their title hopes alive.
Wits dominated the majority of the game, but their wastage in front of goal proved costly as Pirates snatched a late win after they were denied a penalty in extra time.
Orlando Pirates came into the game looking to keep their slim title aspirations alive, and were in need of putting an end to their six match winless run by claiming a victory over a Bidvest Wits side who were fighting for a top four finish.
Pirates haven’t had it easy of late; six games without a win as well as a growing casualty list, and there were fears that another player was to be added to that list when Mpho Makola suffered a heavy knock in the opening minutes of the fixture.
After receiving some medical attention Makola seemed fine to continue, much to relief of Roger De Sa, and his side were left appealing for a penalty just minutes later.
Benni McCarthy burst into the box, following a looping ball towards him, and he dropped to the ground after Emile Baron came in to charge down the loose ball. No penalty was awarded and it proved to be the right decision as replays showed the striker dived.
Wits were playing some great dominating football through the likes of Ryan Chapman, Mazikayise Mashaba and Bryce Moon, yet they still failed to break the deadlock by midway through the first half.
And with Pirates undeniably not at their best, it was Tlou Segolela who tried to take matters into his own hands when he beat two markers to hit a cross-cum-shot in the 24th minute. However, with no player in the box to follow up his movement, it was easy for Baron.
The Wits ‘keeper was then stretched, just ten minutes later, when Segolela, who was Pirates’ best player on the field, cut in towards the box and fired an effort past Baron’s far post.
As the game started to progress, more end-to-end football was being played and Wits were denied going 1-0 up when Meyiwa got a finger to Papy Faty’s shot from outside the box.
Bryce Moon then wasted the perfect opportunity to put his side ahead before the break, when he flashed his effort wide at the near post, following some fantastic one-touch passing across the face of goal by Wits.
Wits got the second half going in the same way in which they finished the first half; on the front foot.
Even with all their possession and efforts in front of goal, Wits proved to be wasteful in their finishing, but credit must also be given to Meyiwa, who pulled off several great saves.
Then, in the 77th minute of the game, it was Makola who wasted a chance in front of goal when he did well to run to the byline. However, his indecisiveness cost him as he waited until too late and it the ball straight at Baron.
Pirates were wrongly denied a penalty in the final stages of the game, after Ndumiso Mabela was brought down in the box. Baron was injured in that challenge, with what looked like a broken leg, and he was substituted by the young Jethrin Barr, who was making his debut.
Pirates got their own back, however, as Sifiso Myeni came on and struck a ball into the back of the net following some scrappy defending.
Wits dominated the majority of the game, but their wastage in front of goal proved costly as Pirates snatched a late win after they were denied a penalty in extra time.
Orlando Pirates came into the game looking to keep their slim title aspirations alive, and were in need of putting an end to their six match winless run by claiming a victory over a Bidvest Wits side who were fighting for a top four finish.
Pirates haven’t had it easy of late; six games without a win as well as a growing casualty list, and there were fears that another player was to be added to that list when Mpho Makola suffered a heavy knock in the opening minutes of the fixture.
After receiving some medical attention Makola seemed fine to continue, much to relief of Roger De Sa, and his side were left appealing for a penalty just minutes later.
Benni McCarthy burst into the box, following a looping ball towards him, and he dropped to the ground after Emile Baron came in to charge down the loose ball. No penalty was awarded and it proved to be the right decision as replays showed the striker dived.
Wits were playing some great dominating football through the likes of Ryan Chapman, Mazikayise Mashaba and Bryce Moon, yet they still failed to break the deadlock by midway through the first half.
And with Pirates undeniably not at their best, it was Tlou Segolela who tried to take matters into his own hands when he beat two markers to hit a cross-cum-shot in the 24th minute. However, with no player in the box to follow up his movement, it was easy for Baron.
The Wits ‘keeper was then stretched, just ten minutes later, when Segolela, who was Pirates’ best player on the field, cut in towards the box and fired an effort past Baron’s far post.
As the game started to progress, more end-to-end football was being played and Wits were denied going 1-0 up when Meyiwa got a finger to Papy Faty’s shot from outside the box.
Bryce Moon then wasted the perfect opportunity to put his side ahead before the break, when he flashed his effort wide at the near post, following some fantastic one-touch passing across the face of goal by Wits.
Wits got the second half going in the same way in which they finished the first half; on the front foot.
Even with all their possession and efforts in front of goal, Wits proved to be wasteful in their finishing, but credit must also be given to Meyiwa, who pulled off several great saves.
Then, in the 77th minute of the game, it was Makola who wasted a chance in front of goal when he did well to run to the byline. However, his indecisiveness cost him as he waited until too late and it the ball straight at Baron.
Pirates were wrongly denied a penalty in the final stages of the game, after Ndumiso Mabela was brought down in the box. Baron was injured in that challenge, with what looked like a broken leg, and he was substituted by the young Jethrin Barr, who was making his debut.
Pirates got their own back, however, as Sifiso Myeni came on and struck a ball into the back of the net following some scrappy defending.
