Just a year ago they were in the CAF Champions League final were they lost to a rampant Al Ahly outfit. But this year they are singing a different tune. Orlando Pirates worst start to the domestic Absa Premier Soccer league continued last night when they lost 2-1 to Mpumalanga Black Aces to dent their title aspirations.
Collins Mbesuma opened the score sheets at Mbombela Stadium in the 12 minute to give the hosts a well deserved lead. The goal came after Pirates had earlier in the match threatened to take the lead after Kermit Erasmus hit the upright from a tight angle.
Abia Nale took Patrick Phungwayo to the cleaners with a lovely piece of footwork on the right flank and won a free kick. Oyenkachi Okonkwo stepped up to take it and found Mbusuma at the back post and he headed the ball into an empty net as Senzo Meyiwa found himself stranded with the ball nowhere near him.
Pirates then settled after the goal and maintained pressure on the hosts. They were duly rewarded in the second half when substitute Lehonoholo Majoro played a neat through ball to Kermit Erasmus, whose first touch was heavy and resulted in the Aces keeper bringing him down from behind.
Collins Mbesuma opened the score sheets at Mbombela Stadium in the 12 minute to give the hosts a well deserved lead. The goal came after Pirates had earlier in the match threatened to take the lead after Kermit Erasmus hit the upright from a tight angle.
Abia Nale took Patrick Phungwayo to the cleaners with a lovely piece of footwork on the right flank and won a free kick. Oyenkachi Okonkwo stepped up to take it and found Mbusuma at the back post and he headed the ball into an empty net as Senzo Meyiwa found himself stranded with the ball nowhere near him.
Pirates then settled after the goal and maintained pressure on the hosts. They were duly rewarded in the second half when substitute Lehonoholo Majoro played a neat through ball to Kermit Erasmus, whose first touch was heavy and resulted in the Aces keeper bringing him down from behind.
A penalty was called by the match official and Majoro stepped up to bury the ball into the bottom left corner for the equaliser.
Aces then got a penalty of their own when Bafana Bafana midfielder Oupa Manyisa headed the ball onto his own arm from a harmless throw in.
Mabhuti Khenyeza, who had just come on for goalscorer Mbesuma, made no mistake from the spot, getting enough power behind it to beat Meyiwa into the bottom right corner.
Aces then got a penalty of their own when Bafana Bafana midfielder Oupa Manyisa headed the ball onto his own arm from a harmless throw in.
Mabhuti Khenyeza, who had just come on for goalscorer Mbesuma, made no mistake from the spot, getting enough power behind it to beat Meyiwa into the bottom right corner.
By:Farai Diza
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