ORLANDO PIRATES VS GOLDEN ARROWS | ABSA

Competition: PSL
Date: Wednesday,24 August 2016
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Kick-off: 19:30pm

Abafana Bes’thende have lost 3-1 to Orlando Pirates in the opening game of the 2016/17 season. In a game where each team dominated a half, the luck was on the side for the home team as Tendai Ndoro got a hat trick to seal the win for his team.

The first half was dominatad by Lamontville Golden Arrows who created some great opportunities with enterprising play.However, it was just not their day and nothing they threw at the Pirates goals went over the line.

A great chance to open the scoring in the 21st minute was lost when Lamola went on a run down the left flank, but overshot his cross to Mahachi at the far post . The attack from the team managed to break the Pirates defence on a number of occasions, and Pirates were at times left wanting as Golden Arrows played up into the last third.

Jooste also had a great opportunity to score, but failed to score when his tight angled shot found the side netting.

The sides went to the break with no score on the board and this set for a competitive second 45.

Pirates were the dominant team in this half, with their wingers feeding the middle of the field, they were able to open the scoring after Ndoro was in the middle to receive a cross that broke the deadlock in the 49th minute.

12 minutes later, Sibiya equialised for Goldn Arrows off a rebound shot from Mahachi that came off the post.

Ndoro was on fire for Pirates and scored his brace in the 67th min with a downward header that beat Mbaeva, giving the team the lead. He got his hat trick shortly after 15 minutes with a left footed shot that found the corner of the box.

Clinton Larsen and his technical team have time between now and the 14 September to rectify and work on aspects of the game that were not up to standard. This will be in preperation for the next game againt Cape Town City on 14 Spetember at Princess Magogo Stadium.