Absa Premiership
Result: Bidvest Wits 0-1 Orlando Pirates
Date: 06 April 2019
Venue: Bidvest Stadium
Orlando Pirates moved to the top of the Absa Premiership table after edging past Bidvest Wits thanks to a late own goal on Saturday afternoon. View The PSL Table The Buccaneers made one change from their stalemate with Mamelodi Sundowns on Monday, with Thamsanqa Gabuza replacing the suspended Thembinkosi Lorch while the Clever Boys gave goalkeeper Ricardo Goss a rare start ahead of Darren Keet. The hosts were the most threatening side in the first quarter of an hour, with Keegan Richie and Gift Motupa coming close but not forcing Pirates shot-stopper Wayne Sandilands to make saves. Milutin Sredojevic's charges had their first shot in anger after 20 minutes through Augustine Mulenga who unleashed a low shot from just outside the box that sailed wide. After a quiet spell in the half, Gabuza almost broke the deadlock for the Soweto giants five minutes before the break with a snap-shot from the centre of the box, but his effort sailed wide of the mark as the frustration began to grow.
Watch: SLTV: Mosimane Still Wary Of Being Docked Points Here's how they lined up: The early moments of the second stanza were promising but the pace of the game could not really get going, which forced Hunt to refresh his attacking as Deon Hotto came on in place of Mhango while Sredojevic withdrew Gabuza, who was constantly booed by fans and Thabo Qalinge came on in his place. Chances were really hard to come by in the second half, which was disappointing for the Clever Boys who enjoyed most of the possession. Ritchie almost broke the deadlock for the Clever Boys from a direct free-kick with seven minutes remaining but his left-footed strike sailed agonisingly wide from outside the box. Alfred Ndengane also had an opportunity to steal all the three points for the Buccaneers three minutes later with a free-header at the back post following a corner but he missed the target. With time running out, Pirates were lucky enough to get a winning goal as Ritchie flicked the ball into his own net to send the Soweto giants top of the log,
Wits: 23. Goss, 3. Hlatshwayo, 15. Mkhwanazi, 2. Mere, 13. Hlanti, 8. Monare, 17. Alexander, 37. Dzvukumanja, 36. Ritchie, 10. Mhango, 24. Motupa.
Subs: 16. Keet, 4. Nonyane, Kumalo, 7. Pelembe, 11. Hotto, 9. Murray, 45. Majoro.
Pirates: 30. Sandilands, 4. Jele, 21. Ndengane, 23. Maela, 28. Dube, 27. Motshwari, 14. Nyatama, 11. Memela, 12. Shonga, 17. Mulenga., 31. Gabuza.
Subs: 40. Mpontshane, 33. Munetsi, 44. Mabaso, 29. Mako, 45. Mobara, 15. Qalinge, 5. Makola.
