DStv Premiership
Result: Bloemfontein Celtic 0-1 Orlando Pirates
Date: 04 November 2020
Venue: Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium
Orlando Pirates got their first DStv Premiership victory of the campaign thanks to Siphesihle Ndlovu's second-half stunner on Wednesday evening.
The Buccaneers were without last season's top scorer Gabadinho Mhango and Thulani Hlatshwayo, while Fadlu Davids was in charge on the night during Josef Zinnbauer's absence.
Davids was forced into an early re-shuffle as Thembinkosi Lorch's evening came to an end due to injury. He was replaced by Deon Hotto on 12 minutes.
The hosts went close to pulling ahead three minutes later, with Sello Matjila forcing Pirates goalkeeper Richard Ofori into a save after a lively start to the clash.
While Pirates struggled to carve out openings, Celtic went agonisingly close 10 minutes before the break when Motebang Sera steered his just wide of Ofori's near post.
It was more of the same in the second half as Happy Jele went close with a header from Hotto's flick-on before Matjila fired wide of the upright at the other end inside the opening 10 minutes.
The Soweto giants managed to force Sipho Chaine into action on 68 minutes when Vincent Pule released Zakhele Lepasa, as the Celtic shot-stopper did well to the deny the striker.
The deadlock was eventually broken with 12 minutes left on the clock as Ndlovu found the back of the net with a superb curling effort.
Ndlovu's strike was enough to secure three points for Pirates, who now look ahead to Sunday's MTN8 clash against Kaizer Chiefs.
Here's how they lined up:
Celtic: 31. Chaine, 22. Rikhotso, 33. Chabalala, 24. Lingwati, 20. De Jongh, 6. Smith, 13. Luthuli, 19. Matjila, 12. Maema, 11. Potsane, 9. Sera.
Subs: 1. Phafoli, 2. Tani, 42. Ncobeni, 17. Mofokeng, 5. Kobedi, 25. Ndwandwe, 36. Nyamande, 7. Mangweni, 27. Tchilimbou.
Pirates: 31. Ofori, 5. Jele, 4. Nyauza, 17. Jooste, 23. Maela, 6. Motshwari, 16. Monare, 45. Pule, 3. Lorch, 27. Dzvukumanja, 25. Lepasa.
Subs: 40. Mpontshane, 44. Mabaso, 32 Mntambo, 29. Mako, 18. Dlamini, 15. Makaringe, 12. Makgaka, 11. Hotto, Ndlovu.
