Orlando Pirates (1) 2
Richards Bay FC (0) 0
The WEAKNESS of Orlando Pirates in the race for the title of Betway Premiership was exposed when they confirmed with the penalty they received at the last minute that they return to the top of the Betway Premiership log.
This happened on Tuesday night when Pirates returned to the lead with a penalty in extra time against Richards Bay FC at Orlando Amstel Arena, Soweto.
The joy of those connected with Pirates was brought by Oswin Appollis with the goal he put in the net in the first half and Evidence Makgopa’s penalty to tie the game.
This win returned Pirates to the top of the log where they are tied with games (20) and points (47) with Mamelodi Sundowns who started the game on top. Sundowns climbed to the top on Tuesday after defeating Orbit College 2-0.
What gives the Bucs the upper hand is the number of goals increased by a penalty in the last minute.
The motivation of the goals seems to cripple the Pirates in this competition since Sundowns are showing signs of warming up which is proven by their lack of stick in 11 league games.
Although it was expected that the Pirates would start the game from the ground up, but until the break, it is clear that Bay is in the game and can score a goal at any time.
Even Appollis took the lead in the 27th minute after a good move by Kamgelo Sebelebele, but the visitors were blindsided by the intervention of Sipho Chaine who prevented the Pirates.
Realizing that time is running out and he needs goals, Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has replaced Makgopa and Tsepang Moremi in place of Yanela Mbuthuma and Patrick Maswanganyi.
Although it was expected that these players would put pressure on Bay, it was the team from Richards Bay that continued to create good opportunities but failed to use them.
The game has ended according to time, the Pirates received a penalty and Makgopa put it in the net.