Pirates keep title hopes alive with victory over Cape Town City

ORLANDO PIRATES (0)(2)

Mabasa 67’, Mosele 87’

CAPE TOWN CITY (1)(0)

Domingo 20’

ORLANDO PIRATES (0) 2)

Mabasa 67’, Mosele 87’

CAPE TOWN CITY (1)(0)

Domingo 20’

Orlando - Orlando Pirates had an upside down month. They endeared themselves to the Ghost, endured a heartbreak and cancellation. But amid that, they still have enough budget up their tank to keep up in the title race.

It was Pirates’ minister of goals Tshegofatso Mabasa who kept the team’s chances of adding a value added title to their trophy cabinet alive yet again!

Mabasa's brilliance up front was not cancelled as he scored and assisted a goal as Pirates beat Cape Town City 2-1 in Orlando yesterday afternoon.

That goal ensured he has 45 goals for the club and is 11 goals behind the club’s all-time top goal scorer Benedict “Tso” Vilakazi. A feat he can still match in the remaining games this season.

This result ensured they kept the pressure on log leaders and the ruling party Mamelodi Sundowns as they came into this match 12 points behind and with three games in hand.

It was the sort of result that proved that they were mic’d up for the title and would allow no commissioner to stand between them and fight until the end.

It was also a good way for the Sea Robbers to end the month of love on a high as they continue to endear themselves to the Ghost who are backing the team with every passing game.

It was, however, another terrible day in the house for City who’ve now gone six games, across all competitions, without a win.

The Citizens are on their knees and begging for a new messiah as Muhsin Ertugral seems to be out of sorts since his dominant start, which included beating Pirates in January at home.

It is often said adversity is the breakfast of champions. And so, as matches continue to come thick and fast, Pirates are starting to show they can control their fate.

But as usual they struggled to crack the whip on the opposition here from the outset due to their blunt spear as they controlled the opposition.

As such, City took the onus up to them and made use of their slim chances as Haashim Domingo unmasked Pirates defence to ensure the visitors sailed into the break with the lead.

That goal which came in the 19th minute was not a true reflection of how this game had started as Pirates had controlled their house with aplomb.

Patrick Maswanganyi, Tshegofatso Mabasa, and Relebohile Mofokeng looked like they’d continue to deliver keynote addresses here like they did last Saturday.

The trio put up a strong debate against Baroka after Mamelodi Sundowns’ state of the nation as they combined for arguably the build-up of the season enroute to the Nedbank Cup quarter-final.

But for all the impressive start which kept the Ghost on their feet - through songs, and chants - there was still no final product: the service delivery.

They nearly got help from the opposition as Nathan Fasika directed a clearance towards his own net, but Darren Keet was on hand to tip the ball over his crossbar.

The month of love has shown that everyone needs their own Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. And Relebohile Mofokeng just continued to be the team’s ‘Dr Bae’ here.

The 20-year-old kept City’s defence on its toes in the first half, cutting through the left hand side like hot knife through butter, but he couldn’t lull his passes into the net.

The opposition, coached by a former commander of this Pirates’ ship Mushin Ertugral, pounced first when Domingo rattled Prins Tjiueza’s cross in goalkeeper Sipho Chaine’s near post.

That stunned the Ghost, while Ertugral celebrated and looked up to the dark guys which threatened to open following a surprisingly sunny day here in Johannesburg.

Trump cards seem to no matter nowadays. And Jose Riveiro will attest to that as Bandile Shandu was ineffective after being played out of position.

Mofokeng put up a good debate in search of the equaliser, drilling a hard and slow shot before the break but Keet made another blinding save to keep the opposition ahead.

Riveiro made a handful of substitutions in the second half, including Goodman Mosele replacing Makhehleni Makhaula for his first appearance after coming back from loan from Chippa.

That cameo substitution wasn’t well received by the Ghosts as they jeered. But boy, it would pay dividends in the end, proving to be worth every penny: three points.

Mosele marked his return by bundling the ball over the line after his initial shot came off the crossbar following a headed pass into the dangerzone by Tshegofatso Mabasa.

Mabasa was Pirates’ main man here – as always. He started the comeback when he side footed home a delightful cross from substitute Mohau Nkota.

Mabasa, who scored his 11th goal of the season, continued to be the minister of goals for his side as he sets his sights on being the difference between winning the title!