Orlando Pirates edge Chippa United in six-goal thriller

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Sunday Feb 25, 2018. 17:47

Orlando Pirates beat Chippa United 4-2 in an Absa Premiership match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday.

As a result, Bucs climbed up to second spot on the league table, while the Chilli Boys moved down to ninth place on the standings..

The Buccaneers were the better side in the opening stages of the game, but it was the Chilli Boys, who broke the deadlock.

It was Mxolisi Macuphu, who hit the back of the net with a first time effort to make it 1-0 to Chippa 18 minutes into the game.

However, Chippa's lead only lasted for eight minutes as the hosts managed to restore parity after they were awarded a penalty.

Bernard Morrison beat Chippa goalkeeper Bernard Morrison from the spot-kick to make it 1-1 for Pirates .

The Buccaneers then pushed forward in numbers for their second goal, but the Chilli Boys stood firm at the back.

The two sides were locked at 1-1 at the half-time.

Morrison, who has had a spell with DR Congo giants AS Vita, narrowly missed the target with a good shot 17 minutes after restart.

The Chilli Boys were struggling to contain the Buccaneers and Musa Nyatama missed the target in the 66th minute with a powerful shot.

Bucs kept pushing for a goal and they managed to score through Zambian marksman Shonga, who scored to make it 2-1 to Pirates.

However, Katlego Mashego hit the back of the net to make it 2-2 for Chippa after the Buccaneers had failed to clear their lines.

Pirates then piled pressure on Chippa and they scored through Thembinkosi Lorch, who scored with a good header to make it 3-2.

Shonga grabbed his brace in the 94th minute when he scored with a long-range shot and ultimately, Pirates won 4-2.

Chippa (1) 2 (Macuphu 18', Mashego 82')
Pirates (1) 4 (Morrison 26', Shonga 73' 90+4', Lorch 86')

Chippa: Mhlongo, Modisane, Konqobe, Okwuosa, Mako, Rakhale, Mabaso (Maholo 75'), Mdlinzo, Mayambela (Mashego 82'), Mbenyane, Machupu (Sali 67').

Pirates: Mabokgwane, Jele, Nyauza, Dube, Maela, Munetsi (Mlambo 56'), Nyatama, Memela (Matlaba 77'), Lorch (Sarr 90'), Morrison, Shonga.