Orlando Pirates were upset by Maritzburg United on their return to league action, with the Team of Choice claiming a 1-0 win at Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday night.
The Buccaneers entered the match on the heels of two consecutive victories and hoped to prolong their outstanding run against the Team of Choice, who had gone winless in this particular matchup for 11 consecutive matches.
The visitors dominated possession in the opening exchanges, but they were unable to capitalize on their advantage because the home team was fast to close shop.
Midway through the first half, there was a lengthy pause due to a failed floodlight. Immediately after the delay, the Buccaneers had an opportunity through Fortune Makaringe, who was passed in by Paseka Mako, but were thwarted by strong defensive play from Maritzburg.
After a relatively calm start to the match, Bucs goalkeeper Richard Ofori was forced to make a save on Tumelo Njoti, who was on the receiving end of a counterattack for the hosts.
Deep into injury time near the end of the first half, the Ghanaian international was forced to make a low dive to his right to preserve the scoreless tie as the teams entered the tunnel.
Innocent Maela, captain of the Pirates, jumped high to meet a superb pass into the box when the visitors were awarded a free-kick shortly after the second half began, but he could only put his header wide of the goal.
After a scramble inside the penalty area shortly before the hour mark, the Buccaneers failed to capitalize, with Bienvenu Eva Nga’s shot on goal being blocked by the defense. This occurred soon prior to Zakhele Lepasa’s one-on-one match with King Ndlovu, in which he chipped King Ndlovu before his stroke rolled wide.
The Soweto Giants were left to rue their missed chances as a penalty was awarded to the home side after Olisa Ndah was deemed to have committed a foul inside the box with ten minutes left on the clock.
Former France youth international Amadou Soukouna went up to take a penalty kick, and his well-placed effort beat Ofori to score the game’s first goal.
Despite having a sizable share of possession in the game’s waning moments, the Pirates’ attempts to tie the score were unsuccessful.
The Buccaneers endured a miserable night on the road, with the Team of Choice taking all available points and sending the Buccaneers home empty-handed.
Pirates XI: Ofori, Ndah, Sibisi, Maela, Monare, Timm, Shandu, Monare, Pule (Lepasa 39′), Makaringe, Eva Nga.