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Pirates fall to Black Aces

Mbombela - Orlando Pirates have slumped to a second Absa Premiership defeat from their last three matches when they fell 2-1 to Black Aces on Tuesday night.
 
Mabhuti Khenyeza’s late penalty proved the difference between the sides, with Collins Mbesuma’s early opener cancelled out by a second half penalty from Lehlohonolo Majoro.
 
Pirates started the match strongly and Kermit Erasmus almost opened the scoring in the second minute, firing a cross-shot from the left that had the beating of goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane but rebounded off the outside of the near post.
 
Aces then opened the scoring against the run of play in the 12th minute. A free kick delivery from the right flank found the head of former Pirates striker Collins Mbesuma and the Zambian directed his effort into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
 
The Buccaneers created half chances to equalise, but both Patrick Phungwayo and Khethowakhe Masuku were guilty of failing to test Mabokgwane with shots from the edge of the box in the 19th and 40th minutes respectively.
 
Pirates coach Vladimir Vermezovic made two positive substitutions just before the hour mark, sending on former Black Aces favourite Thabo Qalinge and striker Lehlohonolo Majoro in an effort to spark their attack to life.
 
The Buccaneers finally drew level in the 70th minute when Majoro coolly converted a penalty. The spot kick had been awarded after Mabokgwane had brought down Erasmus in the box after a sustained period of pressure from the visitors.
 
Yet just nine minutes later the Soweto side gave away a soft penalty, with Oupa Manyisa bizarrely missing a header in the box and allowing the ball to strike his arm. Substitute Mabhuti Khenyeza converted from the spot to put Aces back ahead at 2-1.

Scorers:
Black Aces (1) 2 (Mbesuma 12’, Khenyeza 79’ pen)
Orlando Pirates (0) 1 (Majoro 70’ pen)
 
Teams:
Black Aces:
Mabokgwane, Mampuru, Nonyane, Gumede, Nahayo, Ngalo, Tukane, Okonkwo (Nengomasha 85’), Nale (Masina 55’), Mbesuma (Khenyeza 76’), Ndoro
 
Orlando Pirates: Meyiwa, Nyauza, Sangweni, Gcaba, Phungwayo, Masuku (Qalinge 58’), Sarr, Ntshumayelo (Majoro 58’), Klate (Myeni 78’), Manyisa, Erasmus
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