HELDER Pelembe provided late relief for Orlando Pirates as he scored with just three minutes left to ensure a 1-0 win over Maritzburg United last night to push his side up to fourth place in the Premier Soccer League standings.
It was set up by Thamsanqa Gabuza whose square ball found the Maritzburg defence ball watching and allowed the substitute to score and give the Buccaneers a much needed three point haul, taking them to 40 for the season.
But whether they got the moral high ground ahead of the upcoming Nedbank Cup clash between the two teams on May 3 was unclear in an unconvincing display.
Maritzburg held Pirates at bay with some ease as the semifinal dress rehearsal proved a generally static affair, livened only by the late goal.
Pirates coach Vladimir Vermezovic said his side were emotionally spent after the drama of beating Mamelodi Sundowns at the weekend in the cup while Steve Komphela will be confident he can turn the tables when they meet at the Harry Gwala Stadium.
Chances fell also for Mpho Makola in the second half and early on Happy Jele had a header cleared off the line in the 15th minute by Reuben Cloete.
Jele later went off with a hamstring pull that leaves him in doubt for the next game.
- Ajax Cape Town’s hunt for a top eight place is back on after a 2-0 victory over 10-man SuperSport United at the Cape Town Stadium last night.
It was perhaps fitting that the last Absa Premiership match of the season in the Mother City would be played in freezing, windy conditions, but the hearts of Ajax fans were warmed by goals in each half from Tashreeq Morris and Eleazar Rodgers.
SuperSport had Enocent Mkhabela sent off with 20 minutes remaining to compound a miserable night for the Tshwane side.
Ajax did have goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola to thank for a number of excellent saves that kept a frustrated SuperSport at bay.
A drab first half sprung to life with the final kick as Morris slotted home after SuperSport had failed to clear their lines from a free-kick. It was a calm finish from a player who stood out on the night.
David Mathebula forced a fine save from Jaakkola with a spectacular volley and the Finnish keeper then made another super stop to deny Thuso Phala from range.
After Mkhabela had received his marching orders, Rodgers added the second for Ajax as they cut apart the SuperSport defence with a Toriq Losper through ball and the striker slipped his shot just past Ronwen Williams.
The Urban Warriors move up to within one point of eighth-place Bloemfontein Celtic, though they have now played a game more. — Additional reporting by Nick Said
Late Bucs strike sinks United
It was set up by Thamsanqa Gabuza whose square ball found the Maritzburg defence ball watching and allowed the substitute to score and give the Buccaneers a much needed three point haul, taking them to 40 for the season.
But whether they got the moral high ground ahead of the upcoming Nedbank Cup clash between the two teams on May 3 was unclear in an unconvincing display.
Maritzburg held Pirates at bay with some ease as the semifinal dress rehearsal proved a generally static affair, livened only by the late goal.
Pirates coach Vladimir Vermezovic said his side were emotionally spent after the drama of beating Mamelodi Sundowns at the weekend in the cup while Steve Komphela will be confident he can turn the tables when they meet at the Harry Gwala Stadium.
Chances fell also for Mpho Makola in the second half and early on Happy Jele had a header cleared off the line in the 15th minute by Reuben Cloete.
Jele later went off with a hamstring pull that leaves him in doubt for the next game.
It was perhaps fitting that the last Absa Premiership match of the season in the Mother City would be played in freezing, windy conditions, but the hearts of Ajax fans were warmed by goals in each half from Tashreeq Morris and Eleazar Rodgers.
SuperSport had Enocent Mkhabela sent off with 20 minutes remaining to compound a miserable night for the Tshwane side.
Ajax did have goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola to thank for a number of excellent saves that kept a frustrated SuperSport at bay.
A drab first half sprung to life with the final kick as Morris slotted home after SuperSport had failed to clear their lines from a free-kick. It was a calm finish from a player who stood out on the night.
David Mathebula forced a fine save from Jaakkola with a spectacular volley and the Finnish keeper then made another super stop to deny Thuso Phala from range.
After Mkhabela had received his marching orders, Rodgers added the second for Ajax as they cut apart the SuperSport defence with a Toriq Losper through ball and the striker slipped his shot just past Ronwen Williams.
The Urban Warriors move up to within one point of eighth-place Bloemfontein Celtic, though they have now played a game more. — Additional reporting by Nick Said
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