It wasn’t pretty, but Orlando Pirates still got the job done as they beat Polokwane City 1–0 in a Betway Premiership clash at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night.
With this result, Pirates not only closed the gap between themselves and log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns to just three points, but also gained a much-needed morale boost ahead of their must-win clash in continental football on Saturday afternoon.
Pirates will host Saint Eloi Lupopo in the second leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary second round, needing to overturn a 3–0 defeat suffered in the first leg in Lubumbashi on Sunday.
Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou knows the importance of reaching the group stage — especially after his predecessor guided the team to the semi-finals of the Champions League last season. Should he fail in that regard, it could place him under intense pressure.
So, having won here, the Moroccan will be hoping for a much-improved result and performance on Saturday. And having now gotten rid of the elbow brace and cast, he’s expected to go full throttle with his players at training this week.
The good thing about Ouaddou is that he’s not doing it alone. His backroom staff were hands-on during the warm-up, while he watched over his players like a shepherd tending to his flock.
Ouaddou started the game with his tried-and-tested troops, with the only notable absences from his match-day squad being Sipho Mbule and Tshegofatso Mabasa.
The absence of Mbule meant that Patrick Maswanganyi returned to the starting line-up. He tried to make the team tick going forward, while Sihle Nduli cleaned up behind him and Masindi Nemtajela. But Pirates’ livewire early on was Oswin Appollis, who whipped in a cross that goalkeeper Brian Bwire parried into the path of Moremi — who gladly accepted the gift and slotted home.
With the Ghost in full voice in the stands — particularly those who hung a large “Centreline Supporters” banner on the opposite end — they tried to cajole their team towards an early second goal. But it wasn’t to be. Rise and Shine stood firm, protecting Bwire.
As the Johannesburg weather began to get chillier, City warmed into the game. As a result, Sibusiso Tshabalala should have drawn his team level, but he unceremoniously put his close-range header inches wide of the target.
Maswanganyi also had a shot at goal before the break, but he too couldn’t find the target, sending his effort into the stands.
Despite Pirates being surprisingly offbeat in the first half, one supporter’s life changed at half-time — she won a brand-new Suzuki Swift, courtesy of the Sea Robbers’ sleeve and vehicle sponsor.
Pirates huffed and puffed in search of a goal to double their tally, but things just weren’t going their way. Evidence Makgopa hit the upright after being set up from close range.
Ouaddou — perhaps with the crucial second-leg clash lingering in the back of his mind — pulled off Makgopa and Moremi early in the second half, introducing Yanela Mbuthuma and Kabelo Dlamini.
Mbuthuma nearly made his cameo count early on, but side-footed his close-range shot over the crossbar when it looked easier to score.
And that’s how things ended, as Pirates held on for all three points — taking a huge confidence boost into their must-win clash at home against Saint Eloi Lupopo on Saturday.
