CAPE TOWN - Orlando Pirates closed the gap behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns to two points in a gripping South African Premiership title race by winning 2-0 away to Stellenbosch.
The goals came late in the first half from Evidence Makgopa and Patrick Maswanganyi in front of a near-capacity crowd at the 34,000-seat Athlone Stadium in chilly Cape Town.
Makgopa soared between two defenders to nod a Maswanganyi cross past captain and goalkeeper Sage Stephens after 42 minutes.
When Maswanganyi delivered another cross, two minutes into added time, the ball eluded both Stephens and Makgopa and landed in the net.
In the second half, Genino Palace of Stellenbosch and Cemran Dansin of Pirates came closest to scoring with shots that rebounded off the woodwork.
Sundowns, who host third-placed Kaizer Chiefs in Pretoria on Wednesday, have 64 points and Pirates 62 with three matches remaining for both clubs.
After Chiefs, Sundowns host mid-table Siwelele and visit lowly TS Galaxy. Pirates travel to relegation candidates Magesi and Orbit College and play sixth-placed Durban City at home.
Sundowns are seeking a ninth consecutive Premiership title. Pirates, who have not won the richest league in Africa since 2012, were runners-up in five of the last eight seasons.
"We are still in the race and will fight until the last second of our last match," vowed Pirates' Moroccan coach and former Fulham defender Abdeslam Ouaddou.
Stellenbosch coach Gavin Hunt was critical of centre-backs Mosa Lebusa and Nigerian Olisa Ndah, who joined the Cape winelands outfit from Pirates this season.
"Both Pirates goals resulted from defenders not wanting to head the ball," said the 61-year-old, who has coached various top-flight clubs for more than three decades.
Meanwhile, Orbit College moved out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 victory at fellow strugglers Magesi in a match temporarily halted by lightning.
- AFP