Result: Baroka 1-2 Orlando Pirates
Date: 02 June 2021
Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Orlando Pirate remain in contention for a top-three finish in the DStv Premiership with a come-from-behind win over Baroka FC on Wednesday evening.
Josef Zinnbauer opted to start Thulani Hlatshwayo on the bench as Happy Jele joined Ntsikelelo Nyauza in the defence, while Thembinkosi Lorch, Ben Motshwari and Deon Hotto are included from the start.
Evidence Makgopa nearly gave Pirates a scare inside the opening 10 minutes after being played through on goal, but goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands was on hand to deny Baroka's top scorer.
The Soweto giants dominated thereafter and looked to break the deadlock, with Siphesihle Ndlovu firing over on 25 minutes before Lorch passed up a good chance minutes later in the box after not taking a shot.
However, Zinnbauer was forced to make a first-half change with 10 minutes left on the clock as the returning Motshwari was unable to continue and made way for Fortune Makaringe.
It got worse for the visitors as Baroka got the opening goal on the stroke of halftime courtesy of a finish from defender Denwin Farmer.
There was enough time for Pirates to get an equaliser as Mhango got his side level with his second free-kick in three matches.
Baroka opted for a change at the start of the second half as Joslin Kamatuka replaced Richard Mbulu in the attack.
The Buccaneers should've taken the lead after the hour mark but Jele failed to direct his header on target while Vincent Pule could not profit from the rebound moments later.
The winning goal did arrive in the 88th minute through second-half substitute Terrence Dzvukamanja to send the Soweto giants up to third with one game remaining.
Zinnbauer's men can secure a CAF Confederation Cup spot when they meet Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila on Saturday afternoon.
Baroka: 30. Masuluke, 2. Kgoetyane, 3. Gebhardt, 44. Farmer, 23. Jampies, 5. Makume, 9. Mbulu, 14. Mosele, 12. Mgaga, 17. Kambala, 27. Makgopa.
Subs: 1. Chipezeze, 4. Seema, 15. Mogale, 18. Shozi, 22. Mahlonoko, 28. Monama, Nkhona, 35. Mphahlele, 37. Kamatuka.
Pirates: 30. Sandilands, 4. Jele, 5. Nyauza, 23. Maela, 17. Jooste, 8. Ndlovu, 6. Motshwari, 3. Lorch, 45. Pule, 7. Mhango, 11. Hotto
Subs: 41. Sithole, 29. Mako, 19. Sam, 3. Hlatshwayo, 15. Makaringe, 32. Mntambo, 21. Zungu, 18. Dlamini, 12. Dzvukamanja
