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Spurs stun Pirates to finally get off the mark in DStv Premiership
The Buccaneers' miserable start to the DStv Premiership season gets worse.
Jarrod Moroole celebrates after putting Spurs 2-0 up against Pirates. Picture: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images.
Cape Town Spurs stunned Orlando Pirates in the Mother City on Wednesday, picking up their first points of the DStv Premiership season with a 2-1 win at the Cape Town Stadium.
Spurs had lost eight successive matches to start their campaign, after winning promotion to the top flight this season. But Sean Connor’s side went 2-0 up early on, and while Evidence Makgopa pulled a goal back for the Buccaneers before half time, Spurs hung on in the second half for a crucial three points.
Orlando Pirates have now gone four games without a win and sit in 13th spot on the table with nine points after eight games, their chances of catching league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns getting more remote by the week.
Spurs remain at the bottom of the table but will hope this result gives their season some momentum.
The Cape side had a perfect start into the game, opening the scoring in the third minute, with Lubeni Haukongo capitalising on some poor defending from the Buccaneers.
From then on, the tempo of the game went up with the Buccaneers looking for a response, but the home side’s defence was firm under the leadership of veteran centre back Clayton Daniels.
Pirates managed to sneak into the Spurs box, but Evidence Makgopa failed to put the ball into the back of the net after a good cross from Deon Hotto in the 33rd minute.
Moments after that incident, the hosts went on to grab the second goal, courtesy of Jarrod Moroole, who made it 2-0 for the home team.
Pirates managed to pull one goal back with Makgopa making up for his earlier miss with a header from close range to make it 2-1 going into half time.
In the second half, the match was more intense as Pirates chased the equaliser. But Spurs were having none of it, as they continued to defend with everything they had to stay in the lead.
Olisa Ndah somehow headed wide from point blank range, Patrick Maswangayi’s turn and shot was brilliantly saved by Sam Ramsbottom, and Vincent Pule headed a cross inches over, but Pirates just couldn’t find another goal.
