Sunday at Orlando Stadium, a late goal by Chippa United gave Orlando Pirates their first loss of the season, a 1-0 setback.
The Buccaneers aimed to secure all three points against the visitors, who had yet to record a victory and were suffering from their most recent loss.
Kwame Peprah sprang high to meet a cross from Thembinkosi Lorch in the 10th minute, but he missed the target with his header. The match began slowly, and the first serious opportunity did not come until the 10th minute.
Two minutes later, the Ghanaian striker was once again in the heart of the action as he attempted a goal-bound flick from a Bucs corner but was thwarted by a quick clearing by Sirgio Kammies.
The bulk of the first quarter was played within the opposition’s half, with the majority of Thabiso Monyane’s cross into the penalty area finding a sliding Deon Hotto, who was unable to convert the ball into the goal due to another crucial intervention by Kammies.
Azola Matrose faced Nkosinathi Sibisi in a one-on-one situation for Chippa’s opening attempt, but the Bucs defender won the duel by clearing the ball away from danger.
Peprah continued to pose a threat to the Chilli Boys’ defense, recovering the ball near midfield and then making a storming run into the box, where he prevented Justice Chabalala from taking a shot in the 30th minute.
Pirates may have entered halftime losing if not for a great stop by goalie Richard Ofori, who blocked Diego Appollis’s goal-bound drive after Chippa moved the ball rapidly into Bucs area.
The home team dominated proceedings early in the second half as they maintained their pursuit for the first goal.
Lorch had an opportunity to make it 1-0 in the 53rd minute when he received a through pass from Peprah, but his shot went off target.
They continued to have the majority of scoring opportunities, but were unable to convert as the other team committed many players to the back line.
Both second-half replacement Bienvenu Eva Nga and midfielder Thabang Monare misdirected their headers at the middle of the second half, preventing Pirates from taking the lead.
Four minutes before the end of regular, Abdi Banda headed the ball past Ofori to give Chippa the lead, bringing the Buccaneers’ squandered opportunities back to haunt them.
Pirates responded by throwing players forward in quest of an equalizer; Vincent Pule might have equalized with a point-blank shot, but Kazapua made a magnificent stop.
This was the last play of the game, with the Eastern Cape-based team defeating the home team for the fourth time.
Pirates XI: Ofori, Ndah, Sibisi (Xoki 68′), Maela, Mosele (Timm 68′), Monare, Monyane, Hotto, Pule, Lorch, Peprah (Eva Nga 60′).