SuperSport United Embarrass Pirates
SuperSport United came out on top against Orlando Pirates at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, staging a comeback to secure a 3-1 victory.
Fortune Makaringe, the star player for Pirates who had likened himself to the former Brazil and Barcelona sensation Ronaldinho as reported by GOAL, initiated the scoring as early as the fifth minute.
However, the hosts rallied back with youngster Shandre Campbell leveling the score in the 36th minute, marking his first Premier Soccer League (PSL) goal with an assist from Grant Margerman.
In the 57th minute, the seasoned striker Bradley Grobler secured the lead for SuperSport by netting his ninth goal against Pirates, solidifying his position as the top scorer in this fixture, particularly in the PSL era.
Pirates’ goalkeeper, Melusi Buthelezi, had an unfortunate night when Miguel Timm played a back pass that Buthelezi mishandled. Seizing the opportunity, the determined Campbell dispossessed Buthelezi and completed his brace in the 74th minute.
The situation could have worsened for the Buccaneers, as Yandisa Mfolozi’s powerful header was ruled offside.
Ultimately, SuperSport emerged as 3-1 winners in the encounter.
Gavin Hunt, the head coach of SuperSport, has successfully led his team to victories against all three Soweto teams, namely Moroka Swallows, Kaizer Chiefs, and now Pirates.
Matsatsantsa A Pitori have secured consecutive wins in the league, establishing a comfortable gap between them and the teams vying for second place—Cape Town City, Pirates, and Stellenbosch.
Despite three notable victories against Golden Arrows, TS Galaxy, and Swallows, Jose Riveiro appears unable to sustain the positive momentum.
In the encounter with SuperSport, he missed an opportunity to reduce the gap between his team and SuperSport.
Unfortunately, his tactics proved no more effective than Hunt’s, with SuperSport United dominating against Pirates.
What’s next for SuperSport United
In their quest to narrow the gap with cross-city rivals and current log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United will conclude the year with an away match against Kaitano Tembo’s struggling Richards Bay side, which suffered a defeat to Amakhosi at the FNB Stadium earlier today.
What’s next for Orlando Pirates
Meanwhile, the Buccaneers must regroup as they prepare to face another formidable competitor vying for the position of being Mamelodi Sundowns’ closest challenger.
Steve Barker’s in-form Stellenbosch side aims to compound the challenges for Pirates.
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