Pirates sail to another win

POLOKWANE – ORLANDO Pirates have once again continued their impressive run at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

On Sunday afternoon, Pirates came from a goal down to beat Supersport United 2-1 in their Absa Premier Soccer League (PSL) match. Pirates’ last match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium was a 3-0 demolition of Polokwane City in October.

Thuso Phala had given United the lead with a thunderous strike in the first half.

Pirates looked set to lose the match until their coach, Vladimir Vermezovic, made changes in the second half that breathed life to the Buccaneers.

Issa Sar, who replaced Limpopo born midfielder Lehlogonolo Masalesa, in one of the replacement moves, made an immediate impact when he headed home an equaliser with only 25 minutes remaining on the clock.

Sifiso Myeni got the all-important goal deep in the game’s extra time.

Vermezovic said the win boosted the confidence of his players who have struggled to get over the death of their goalkeeper and captain, Senzo Meyiwa, who played his last match for Bafana Bafana at the Peter Mokaba Stadium last month.

Vermezovic said he believed his players would continue to achieve positive results.

“We played without confidence in the first half, but things changed with the substitutions we made. We worked very hard and we can only build from these results,” the Serbian mentor said.

The win moved the Soweto giants to fourth position on the PSL log with 17 points from 10 matches.

They trail runaway leaders Kaizer Chiefs with 12 points but Bucs have played a match less than Amakhosi.

Supersport United coach, Gordon Igesund, admitted that his players played the match with their mind in the final of the Telkom Cup, which they will play on Saturday against Platinum Stars at the Orlando Stadium.

“Pirates were lucky and we could have wrapped up the match in the first half.

“Our focus now shifts to the cup match and we are thankful to the Polokwane supports for coming out in their numbers”, concluded the former Bafana Bafana coach.