Pirates slip in PSL campaign with Galaxy defeat

TS Galaxy survived an Orlando Pirates onslaught to defeat Bucs 1-0 in their DStv Premiership clash at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Monday afternoon.

The only goal of the match was scored by Lefa Hlongwane.

The result lifts Galaxy to 13th on the log with 26 points from 27 games, while Pirates remain in fourth spot on 40 points after 27 matches.

The Buccaneers had a lot more possession and scoring opportunities than the home-side in the first-half with Thembinkosi Lorch, Terrence Dzvukamanja and happy Jele missing chances.

The closest Pirates came to scoring was when a cross by Deon Hotto, in the 25th minute, was headed towards goal by Innocent Maela but he was denied scoring when the ball hit the crossbar.

Then in the 33rd minute, against the run of play, Lefa Hlongwane of Galaxy scored with a low shot to the right after receiving an assist by Lindokuhle Mbatha to give his side the 1-0 lead.

The first-half ended 1-0 in favour of the home-side.

Galaxy had a scoring chance just after the restart when Mbatha passed to Orebotse Mongae, who fired his shot goal-wards but the ball was saved by Bucs keeper Richard Ofori.

A little bit later Galaxy had a slight chance when Sphiwe Mahlangu fired a long-range shot at the Bucs goal but it missed to the right.

Pirates to their credit really upped the ante in attack, chasing the equaliser and had many goal attempts either going wide, blocked or saved from the likes of, Mosele, Dzvukamanja, Kwame Peprah, Bandile Shandu, Zakhele Lepasa and Fortune Makaringe.

While for Galaxy Bathusi Aubaas tried his luck with shots on two occasions but both flew well wide.

But try as they might Pirates simply could not grab the equaliser and Galaxy somehow held out for the 1-0 win and the vital three points,