Pirates sneak into top eight with victory over fellow strugglers Chippa

Orlando Pirates remain patchy as hell, but at least they appear capable of grinding out results now when their famous style eludes them, as they did in their 2-1 Absa Premiership win against Chippa United on Tuesday night.

Thamsanqa Gabuza’s 29th minute strike for Bucs at Orlando Stadium preceded Paseka Mako’s goal on the stroke of half time before Thabo Matlaba’s strike from range went in off Chippa goalkeeper Zama Dlamini in the 65th.

Chippa were reduced to 10 men when Thamsanqa Sangweni earned a second booking for handling, believing he had been fouled, before referee Victor Hlungwane’s whistle had stopped play.

• Bayern take fifth straight Bundesliga crown with win at WolfsburgBayern Munich celebrated their record-extending fifth consecutive Bundesliga title on Saturday after crushing VfL Wolfsburg 6-0 to open up an unassailable 10-point lead over second-placed RB Leipzig with three matches remaining. 

Bucs finally broke into the top eight – in eighth, above Golden Arrows on goal difference.

If they want to progress any higher, they will need to win more consistently, and to do that they need to play more convincingly.

But slowly, perhaps, they are getting there. Still the structure leaves much to be desired. Some big stars seem to be resting on reputation. Bucs still concede in critical phases.

• Sundowns cruise to the top of the log with win over Arrows Mamelodi Sundowns went to the top of the Absa Premiership for the first time in the 2016-17 season with a clinical 2-0 victory against Lamontville Golden Arrows at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu, Durban on Friday night. 

But the results under Kjell Jonevret – just one defeat in 11 league and cup games – hold promise even if the Swede has notably gained grey hairs.

Chippa caretaker Mbuyiselo Sambu had a tough start. Facing Pirates away in his first match since coach Dan Malesela was placed on leave pending a dismissal this week was tough enough, then Pentjie Zulu limped off in the seventh minute, replaced by Zephania Mbokoma.

Pirates grafted into dominance. Abbubaker Mobara’s cracking drive was pushed over by Dlamini. Issa Sarr inexcusably headed over an open goal.

• Sundowns draw AS Vita again in Champions League group stagesAfrican Champions League holders Mamelodi Sundowns will have a reunion with Congolese outfit AS Vita Club‚ who they lost to last year but who then offered the South Africans a fairytale path to victory after being disqualified. 

Matlaba’s cross on the run was slightly behind Gabuza at the near post, who improvised with a fine scissor-kick for the opener.

Gabuza earned a start as the Premier Soccer League (PSL)’s top scorer, Tendai Ndoro, sulked increasingly goal-dry on the bench. The big man ran to his coach to celebrate the goal.

But if there’s one thing this Pirates are masters of it is squandering their hard work. Chippa unlocked Bucs down the middle to put Mako down the left, who finished between Mpontshane’s legs.

• SuperSport United refuse to give up title chaseSuperSport United are not giving up on the Absa Premiership title race‚ a 1-0 win against Bidvest Wits at Bidvest Stadium on Tuesday night having brought them back from the brink of slipping out of the race. 

Sarr and Mobara’s central partnership has been crucial stabilising Bucs. But Sarr continually pushing into a striking role confused the lines of the Buccaneers’ shape.

Pirates, who played to a decent gameplan in the first half, drifted in the second.

But Matlaba – whose famous shooting boots had deserted him this season – struck a wicked one from range that wrong-footed Dlamini, who then tried to save with one hand, which was never enough to keep such a scorching strike out.

• Irate SuperSport United officials give Safa and Stuart Baxter an ultimatumAn annoyed SuperSport United will give the South African Football Association until the middle of next week to conclude their negotiations with Stuart Baxter on the vacant Bafana Bafana coaching position. 

Other PSL results:

Saturday, 29 April 2017:

Free State Stars 1 - 2  Polokwane City

SuperSport United 2 - 2  Kaizer Chiefs

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport