Pirates scrape past struggling Amazulu

Orlando Pirates broke AmaZulu hearts as they snatched a come-from-behind 2-1Premiership win at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Photo by Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images

Orlando Pirates broke AmaZulu hearts as they snatched a come-from-behind 2-1Premiership win at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Photo by Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images

Published Feb 11, 2015

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Durban – A 90th minute strike from Kermit Erasmus helped Orlando Pirates break AmaZulu hearts as they snatched a come-from-behind 2-1Premiership win at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Wednesday.

New Usuthu signing Mbulelo Mabizela had given basement club Usuthu the lead when he headed them ahead after 66 minutes.

But the home sides' joy was short-lived as Lehlohonolo Majoro levelled three minutes later, before the Buccaneers frontman teed up strike partner Erasmus to thump in the winner in the final minute of play.

The result helped the Buccaneers consolidate their fourth position on the table, while AmaZulu stayed rooted to the foot of the table, nine points behind second-bottom Platinum Stars.

Steve Barker handed debuts to goalkeeper Energy Murambadoro, defender Mabizela and striker Bongi Ntuli, but it was the same old story as the Durbanites struggled to assert themselves in front of the just over 10,000 fans in attendance.

The first-half as a midfield battle that saw little in terms of goalmouth action, apart from headed chances at either end. Both produced the same result too as Lennox Bacela first headed over an early corner from Oupa Manyisa.

At the other end, Marc van Heerden's delivery from a corner kick was also planted over, this time by Bongani Ndulula.

It was goalless at the break and after the restart there was a first real save for either goalkeeper when Bornwell Mwape's powerful shot from inside the area forced Brighton Mhlongo to make a sharp reaction save.

Usuthu then went in front just after the hour when his powerful header from a Van Heerden free-kick gave Mhlongo no chance.

But the lead was cancelled out in the 69th minute thanks to an exquisite Majoro lob over the stranded Murambadoro.

And with the game seemingly destined for a draw, Erasmus broke the hearts of the home fans to steal the three points. – Sapa

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