Orlando Pirates lost further ground in the Absa Premiership title race as Mpumalanga Black Aces grabbed a deserved 2-1 win at Mbombela Stadium Former Buccaneer Collins Mbesuma opened the scoring against his former employers with a well-taken 12th minute header, before a Lehlohonolo Majoro penalty in the second half brought the scores level. Mabhudi Khenyeza then broke Pirates’ hearts with the second penalty of the match, regaining the lead for Aces less than 15 minutes from the end. Already 10 points behind log-leading Kaizer Chiefs, Pirates suffered another costly defeat and look to have given up the ghost as the Premiership campaign seems dead and buried just nine games into the season. For Aces, meanwhile, three points take them up to second in the standings, leap-frogging Pirates in the process. Although the rest of the PSL teams are all in action on Wednesday evening, the win will be a morale-boosting one for Clive Barker, who watched on as Aces claimed their second win in three days. The game started like a house on fire as Kermit Erasmus struck the upright from an impossible angle in the second minute, from what looked like a mis-hit cross. A minute later, Erasmus, who last scored for Pirates on August 30, had a shout for a penalty turned down by referee Victor Hlungwane. Erasmus went down inside the area following a clumsy tackle and pleaded with the referee, but Hlungwane looked the other way when it looked like a sure penalty. Aces managed to soak up the pressure and soon found themselves ahead, thanks to Mbesuma’s measured header from a free-kick just outside the area. The burly attacker was spot on after finding himself unmarked inside the area, following some poor marking from the set-piece, putting the home side ahead just 12 minutes in. The early goal allowed Aces to stamp their authority on the game as Barker’s men frustrated Pirates, who failed to make their chances pay. Thandani Ntshumayelo looked lively through the middle, while Khethokwakhe Masuku came close to thundering home shortly before half-time, but missed the mark. Pirates created some great chances going forward and with a bit more composure, could have drawn level before the interval. Erasmus was in the thick of the action two minutes after the half-time break, but saw his effort comfortably saved by goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane, who was enjoying a solid evening between the posts. Mabokgwane was called into action again in the 67th minute and came to Aces rescue when he punched away former AmaZayoni youngster Thabo Qalinge’s ferocious left-footed effort from distance. But the shot-stopper could not repeat the heroics just seconds later after he was adjudged to have fouled Erasmus inside the box, forcing Hlungwane to point to the spot for a penalty. Second-half replacement, Majoro, made no mistake as he slotted home his third Absa Premiership goal of the season on 70 minutes. But the drama was far from over as Aces were awarded a penalty of their own, after Oupa Manyisa was blown for handball inside the box. Khenyeza converted, sticking the ball into the corner to steal the lead for the home team 12 minutes from the end. The hosts looked comfortable with the ball at their feet and never looked in trouble after going ahead for a second time.
Posted on: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 20:09:15 +0000
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