Absa Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 0-1 Bidvest Wits
Date: 15 August 2018
Venue: Orlando Stadium
A late own goal from Gladwin Shitolo saw Orlando Pirates suffer a 1-0 defeat to Absa Premiership leaders Bidvest Wits at the Orlando Stadium.
Justin Shonga had an opportunity to grab an early lead for Bucs in the third minute after receiving a pass inside the box but he fluffed his chance from around six-yards out.
Mxolisi Macuphu almost opened the scoring for the Clever Boys in the 12th minute with a beautiful strike from just outside the box but Pirates goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane tipped his effort over the bar.
Xolani Mlambo came close to sensationally breaking the deadlock for the home side in the 20th minute with a long range of his own but Wits shot-stopper Darren Keet parried his strike over the bar.
Milutin Sredojevic’s charges were dominating possession after 35 minutes, but the visitors were dangerous on counter-attacks, most notably Deon Hotto.
Three minutes before the break, Shonga should have made it 1-0 to Bucs after being played through on goal with only Keet to beat in the box, but the striker saw his effort saved by the Wits stopper.
Pule was unlucky not to have found the back of the net for the Soweto giants eight minutes after the break with an effort from distance that crashed against the upright.
The two sides were struggling for momentum after 65 minutes, with chances few and far between while there were also a number of changes.
However, Pirates were knocking on the door with a good spell of attacking play with 15 minutes to go but the Clever Boys were solid at the back.
Wits broke the deadlock finally ten minutes before time after Haashim Domingo’s attempted cross at the near post deflected off Gladwin Shitolo and sneaked past Mpontshane, 0-1.
The Buccaneers threatened to get the equaliser but Keet was not giving anything away as Wits claimed their third win in three successive league games.
Here's how they lined up:
Pirates: 40. Mpontshane, 4. Jele, 6. Shitolo, 23. Maela, 35. Thopola, 14. Nyatama, 20. Mlambo, 27. Motshwari, 45. Pule, 12. Shonga, 17. Mulenga.
Subs: 16, Mabokgwane, 24. Nyauza, 29. Mako, 3. Lorch, 32. Mntambo, 5. Makola, 31. Gabuza.
Wits: 16. Keet, 3. Hlatshwayo, 6. Johannes, 8. Monare, 11. Hotto, 13. Hlanti, 15. Mkhwanazi, 17. Alexander, 24. Motupa, 28. Macuphu, 37. Dzvukamanja.
Subs: 1. Mhlongo, 2. Mere, 5. Weidlich, 7. Pelembe, 9. Murray, 21. Domingo, 41. Majoro.
