Absa Premiership
Result: Free State Stars 2-1 Orlando Pirates
Date: 16 December 2017
Venue: Goble Park
Orlando Pirates failed to reclaim second spot in the Absa Premiership, after they lost 2-1 to Free State Stars at Goble Park.
Pirates got the first shot on goal, as an effort from Justin Shonga was easily captured by the Free State Stars Robert Sangare in the sixth minute.
Jackson Mabokgwane was called into action in the 20th minute, but the Pirates keeper was up to the task as he kept out Siphelele Mthembu's header at the far post.
The Buccaneers were presented with an opportunity to take the lead, with a set piece just outside the box. Luvuyo Memela stepped up to take the kick, but his effort sailed just over the bar as the game was still tied at 0-0 after 30 minutes.
Pirates were the dominant team and an effort from Thabo Rakhale brilliantly saved by Sangare as he kept his side in the game.
However, neither team managed a breakthrough as the teams went into the halftime break still tied at 0-0 with little action at Goble Park.
Stars finally broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, when Abbubakar Mobara sent the ball into his own net following some good work by Sinethemba Jantjie.
Five minutes later, the hosts got back on level terms through a Thabiso Kutumela effort, after some great build up play involving Mpho Makola and Justin Shonga.
Milutin Sredojevic introduced the likes of Thamsanqa Gabuza and Riyaad Norodien for the final 20 minutes as they looked for a winning goal.
However, Stars snatched a winning goal in stoppage time, as Mabokgwane failed to collect a cross which saw the ball land at the feet of Jantjie, who duly slotted into an empty net.
Here's how they lined up:
Stars: 23. Sangare, 2. Mobbie, 22. Keita, 6. Teyise, 4. Makhaula, 18. Potsane, 5. Masehe, 50. Vilakazi, 11. Jantjie, 26. Dlamini, 21. Mthembu. Pirates: 16. Mabokgwane, 19. Chabalala, 6. Shitolo, 34. Nyauza, 8. Matlaba, 45. Mobara, 14. Nyatama, 11. Memela, 5. Makola, 24. Kutumela, 27. Shonga.
