PIRATES LEAVE IT LATE TO SINK UNLUCKY LIONS

                           

Pirates.......................................(0)2                                              
Fanelo 77th, Sihle 90+4                                   
Red Lions.................................(1)1                                                     
Solomon 22nd                        

LOBAMBA – They barely looked the usual entertaining Moneni Pirates but still rose from the ashes like the proverbial phoenix to beat an unlucky Red Lions.  

                                                       
This was during an MTN Premier League Y’ello Sunday clash at Somhlolo National Stadium as part of the triple-header fans witnessed yesterday.                                            
Pirates trailed the same team they outfoxed 7-0 in the Ingwenyama Cup just recently, only getting an equaliser in the 77th and the winner four minutes into stoppage time.
Interestingly, the ‘Sea Robbers’ have never lost to Lions since the 2013/14 season but were so close to it yesterday.      

                                
However, like their first round meeting, the two sides shared the spoils with a 1-all draw.                           
Putting Lions ahead was striker Solomon Oladele who struck from the edge of the box into the far low corner of the net in the 22nd minute.                                               
It was a deserved lead as Lions were dominant and had some chances denied. Pirates only gradually came back into it midway through the second half but they still were not at their best. 

                   
As the players tried everything not to lose the match, they were certainly rewarded in the 77th when a Bongani Ndzimandze miscued shot got the slightest touch from Fanelo Mamba to change direction and beat keeper Mbongeni Motsa, who protested the scorer was from an off-side position.                  
Both sides got a few other chances to wrap up the game but it was Red Lions that threatened more.   

                               
Lions were unfortunate not to get the maximum points here as it would have given them a chance out of the relegation zone above Mbabane Highlanders who played after this match.                                                      
Just when the clock hit two minutes of stoppage time, Red Lions had defender Mthokozisi Nkambule red carded for a second bookable offence.          

                        
South African winger Sihle Ndaba scored from the resultant free kick as he bent one above the wall from the edge of the box to beat keeper Mbongeni Motsa.                                    
This was the end for Lions whose relegation woes continue as they have 12 points and placed second from bottom while Pirates moved up to fifth on the table on 26 points.                                                                                                    

Teams:                                                      
Pirates - Thabiso, Thabo, Menzi, Mncedisi, Mbuso, Junior, Bongani, Xolani, Mfanufikile, Fanelo, Sihle.           

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