Bucs fight back to beat Wits

Orlando Pirates came back from a goal down to beat Bidvest Wits 2-1 in an Absa Premiership match at Orlando Stadium with goals by Helder Pelembe and Kermit Erasmus.

Orlando Pirates stand-in coach Eric Tinkler surprisingly started with experienced players Daine Klate, Lennox Bacela, Sifiso Myeni and Kermit Erasmus on the bench while Mozambican striker Helder Pelembegot a start.

Meanwhile Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt gave a start to striker Sthembiso Ngcobo, who joined from Kaizer Chiefs via AmaZulu where he had been on loan.

The home side nearly scored from a corner kick inside the opening minutes when midfielder Lehlohonolo Masalesa got free at the far post, but put his half volley way over the crossbar.

In the tenth minute the visitors had a chance to score when Sibusiso Vilakazi did well to find Ngcobo with a cross, but the big striker was closed down before he get a shot in at goal.

Then in the 20^th minute Wits did score as captain Sibusiso Vilakazi nipped in front of his marker at the near post to send a Siyabonga Nhlapo cross past Senzo Meyiwa at his near post.

To help keep Bidvest Wits in the tie, goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs made a top save in the 27th minute to deny Pelembe who hit a first time shot after Happy Jele found him with a cross from the right.

Just after the 30 minute mark, Josephs made another good save when he pushed away a powerful drive from Masuku.

The first real chance of the second half came in the 50th minute when Jele, on the overlap, blasted way over the bar after Masuku had created space inside the danger area.

The home team found the equaliser when new man Helder Pelembe pounced at the near post to loop a header over Josephs and into the far post. It was a good run and a well-placed header.

Then the fight back continued and Bucs found a second goal in the 73rd minute through substitute Kermit Erasmus. Erasmus powered in a close range header following some brilliant work by Thabo Matlaba who delivered the cross.

Substitute Kebebe saw a glancing header go wide late in the game from Nhlapo’s cross while Josephs saved from a free kick in the dying seconds, as Pirates were able to hang on and take the full points.

Orlando Pirates (0) 2 (Pelembe 56’ Erasmus 73’)

Bidvest Wits (1) 1 (Vilakazi 20’)

TEAMS

Orlando Pirates: Meyiwa, Matlaba, Jele, Lekgwathi, Gcaba, Masalesa (Erasmus 46’), Ntshumayelo, Manyisa, Ngoma (Myeni 56’), Masuku (Makola 86’), Pelembe

Bidvest Wits: Josephs, Booth (Dankwae 64’), Pattison (Kebebe 78’), Kadi, Vilakazi, Isaacs (Madubanya 61’), Faty, Ngcobo, Nhlapo, Bhasera, Mngonyama

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