Vlad feels the heat as Bucs fail again

The struggle continues for beleaguered Orlando Pirates.

Last night, they slumped to yet another defeat - this with the Soweto derby only four days away.

The Buccaneers made schoolboy errors in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Steve Komphela's Maritzburg United.

They gave away the ball cheaply in dangerous areas and posed no real threat going forward either, shooting waywardly when opportunities arose.

It was one of their worst performances of the season and coach Vladimir Vermezovic will be uneasy after his fourth Absa Premiership defeat.

A few more defeats might mean the end of the road for the former Amakhosi coach. Even fans were shouting "you must go" after the match.

Komphela's outfit, the surprise package of the season, got off to the perfect start, grabbing the lead after just two minutes courtesy of two-goal hero Mohammed Anas.

However, Bucs pulled one back just after the half-hour mark when Kermit Erasmus scored his first league goal since August.

It was the only reason to smile for Bucs' fans on an otherwise gloomy evening.

After creating the first goal for Erasmus, left back Thabo Matlaba turned villain when he dilly-dallied with the ball in his own box. This allowed Maritzburg's Mondli Cele to steal the ball and pass it to Anas, who easily tapped home with the last kick of the half.

It proved to be a decisive strike for Maritzburg, who move up to third place with 20 points - 10 behind leaders Kaizer Chiefs.

They are flying high with their group of hungry players.

• Khanyiso Tshwaku reports from Princess Magogo Stadium about Barker magic, even though it was of a different kind to that which helped Bafana Bafana win the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations and qualify for the 1998 World Cup. Last night, it was Steve Barker who worked his own, as AmaZulu finally broke their PSL duck with a hard-earned 2-1 win over the University of Pretoria. It was not enough to lift them from the bottom of the log but they are no longer the odd ones out with no wins.

PSL Fixtures

Tonight

Charles Mopeli: FS Stars vs Celtic (6pm)

Lucas Moripe: Sundowns vs SuperSport (7.30pm)

Dobsonville: Swallows vs Ajax (7.30pm)

Milpark: Wits vs Chiefs (7.30pm)

Peter Mokaba: Polokwane vs Plat Stars (7.30pm)

Nelson Mandela Bay: Chippa vs Black Aces (7.30pm)