Orlando Pirates pounce to pour cold water on SuperSport United’s survival hopes

Games in hand are clearly of little value until they are made to count. SuperSport United can certainly attest to this as they struggle to secure their place in the Betway Premiership.

Matsatsantsa a Pitori lost 1-0 to Orlando Pirates at the Peter Mokaba Stadium – their second successive defeat while playing catch-up to 15th-placed Cape Town City. The two sides are now level on 26 points with one game each remaining, although SuperSport enjoy a better goal difference.

There remains the unresolved matter of Matsatsantsa’s abandoned match against Golden Arrows, which could impact the final points tally. That clash, originally played in February, was level at 1-1 when the lights failed, and the teams were unable to begin the second half.

As SuperSport, the home side, failed to provide a backup generator to counter load-shedding, it is likely that the points will be awarded to Arrows.

Regardless of the ruling, SuperSport still hold their fate in their own hands. They need only beat Richards Bay on Saturday or at least match Cape Town City’s result in their match against a Stellenbosch FC side determined to secure third place.

On a night when Orlando Pirates handed goalkeeper Siyabonga Dladla his debut in celebration of his 24th birthday, Mohau Nkota scored the only goal in the second half to help the Buccaneers narrow the gap on champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Substitute Karim Kimvuidi made a strong run from deep in midfield before threading a precise pass to Nkota inside the box. The youngster controlled with his right foot, shifted the ball to his inside and fired a low shot that went through defender Aphiwe Baliti’s legs and past goalkeeper Thakazani Mbanjwa.

That was the decisive moment as the Buccaneers secured all three points, though SuperSport were unlucky not to equalise in the 88th minute. Pogisho Sanoka delivered a superb high ball from the right, and Nyiko Mobie rose unmarked to head at goal, only for the ball to ricochet off the upright with Dladla well beaten.

The match had produced a number of half-chances early on, but none were converted. Lebohang Maboe blasted over from inside the box just before half-time, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi blocked a Keegan [surname missing] shot two minutes after the break as SuperSport attempted to start the second half with intensity.

Mbanjwa then did well to deny Nkota after a superb pass from Tshegofatso Mabasa capped a fluid Pirates attack.

Earlier, there had been a scare when Christian Saile collided with Dladla, leaving both players sprawled on the pitch and seemingly injured. Fortunately, both recovered and continued as Pirates claimed the win, leaving SuperSport in a perilous position near the foot of the table.