Orlando Pirates beat Polokwane City to stay level with leaders Mamelodi Sundowns in the title race

Patrick Maswanganyi of Orlando Pirates celebrates a goal with teammates during the Betway Premiership match against Polokwane City at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night. Orlando Pirates remained top of the Betway Premiership standings,level on 44 points with the second placed Mamelodi Sundowns, after beating Polokwane City 2-1 at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night. Pirates came into this match on a high,having not only won three points against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs, but also the country’s bragging rights.But for all their high spirits, the Sea Robbers seemed to have left their scoring boots at the Calabash, resulting in a nervy finish to the game.

Pirates were the better team in Polokwane from start to finish. They dominated possession, gliding past City like a hot knife through butter, but they lacked precision and execution in the final third as the two teams went into the break with a stalemate. Pirates’ first real chance of the game came courtesy of Evidence Makgopa.

The towering striker did well to dispossess his marker as he raced through on goal. But his final product was off target, while goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula also helped to divert the shot with a one-hand save. Having Makgopa as a No 9 and Andre de Jong as a No 10 seemed to work in Pirates’ favour, the New Zealander holding up play and protecting the ball, giving ample freedom to their front runners, Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis. Appollis should have also found the lead, but his hard and low shot from distance was saved by Lindokuhle Mathebula before his defence regrouped to clear the danger away.