Orlando Pirates returned to winning ways in the Premiership with a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Polokwane City at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Gabadinho Mhango, Tshegofatso Mabasa and Kabelo Dlamini all found the back of the net for the Buccaneers who move up to seventh on the log standings, level on points with both Highlands Park and Bidvest Wits.
Rise and Shine’s goals came from Charlton Mashumba and Mpho Mvelase on a fiery night that conjured two red cards with both Puleng Tlolane (Polokwane) and Thembinkosi Lorch (Pirates) receiving their marching orders in the first half.
Mashumba fired the visitors in front in the 12th minute as Pirates’ frailties from set-pieces were exposed once again. The Zimbabwean forward out jumped his marker from a corner-kick to inject fresh doubt into the Buccaneers camp.
Some of that uncertainty was eased in the 36th minute as Mhango fired home from the spot after a Polokwane player was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area.
Vincent Pule should’ve put the hosts in front a minute later, but he failed to convert from close range as Mwenya Chibwe pulled off a good save.
The half ended in controversy as both Tlolane and Lorch were sent off following a scuffle, with both players falling to the ground in protest before being sent for an early shower by the match official.
In pursuit of the go-ahead goal, Pirates head coach Rhulani Mokwena introduced both Mabasa and Dlamini just after the hour mark and the due made an immediate impact.
Mabasa fired the hosts in front in the 66th minute with what was his sixth goal in 10 league matches after Dlamini’s corner deflected into his path before the latter got on the scoresheet himself with a rasping left-footed drive.
Mvelase curled home in stoppage time to halve the deficit and duly make for a nervy ending, but Pirates managed to hold on to claim a valuable win while Polokwane fell to a seventh straight league defeat.
In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo
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