Betway Premiership: Mabasa hits winner as Orlando Pirates see off Golden Arrows

The win means the Buccaneers cut the gap to league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns to nine points with the Brazilians still favourites to retain the title.

The teams were evenly matched in the first half with Arrows having the an opportunity to take the lead but Siyanda Mthanti saw his effort saved by Melusi Buthelezi.

The hosts then spurned a glorious chance to go ahead when Nhlanhla Zwane watched his header go agonisingly wide of the target as the score remained goalless at the halftime break.

The Soweto giants broke the deadlock six minutes after the interval when Kabelo Dlamini's pass found Patrick Maswanganyi in space and the forward rounded goalkeeper Edward Maova before finishing to put his team 1-0 up.

Manqoba Mngqithi's charges were always in the contest and equalised just ten minutes later when Mthanti made up for his earlier miss to make the score 1-1 after an hour played.

The Buccaneers though showed why they are sitting second and not giving up the fight for league honours and found the winner in the 72nd minute when Tshegofatso Mabasa struck a crisp volley into the roof of the net.

The win means Pirates go into the Soweto Derby cup final with momentum having already beaten Kaizer Chiefs by the same scoreline last weekend.

The defeat, meanwhile, leaves Golden Arrows only three points above the relegation playoff position with six matches of their league campaign still remaining.

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