Matchday 9 - report

JOHANNESBURG, November 22 (Absa Premier League) – Teko Modise continued his recent scoring spree netting a brace to help Orlando Pirates come from behind to claim a thrilling 4-2 win over 10-man Thanda Royal Zulu on Saturday.
Gilbert Mushangazhike opened the scoring for the hosts at the newly re-opened Orlando Stadium, before Ahmed Muhammed brought the visitors level.
It remained that way until the half-time break, with an own goal from Destin Makita early in the second period handing Amabhubesi the advantage.
But Japie Motale’s dismissal proved decisive as Pirates hit back with goals from midfielder Modise – who scored twice for South Africa in midweek – and Benson Mhlongo sealing an entertaining win.
The pace of the game early on looked to have laid the platform for the evening with Thulasizwe Mbuyane thumping his 20-yard shot onto the cross-bar after just three minutes, before Mushangazhike nodded Dikgang Mabalane’s cross straight at Aubrey Mathibe in the Thanda goal.
The pair again combined for the opening goal after 12 minutes, this time the Zimbabwean making no mistake, heading home from close-range after a fine left-wing cross by his team-mate.
But the visitors were level six minutes later when Bernard Parker’s corner from the left was nodded home by Muhammed.
The game then calmed before the break with only Lebogang Mothibantwa firing a long-range effort over on the stroke of half time.
Four minutes after the restart Roger Palmgren’s team were ahead courtesy of Makita, who bundled the ball over the line to stun the home crowd into silence.
But the match turned on its head five minutes before the hour mark when Motale was shown a straight red card for his challenge on Modise, who himself stood up and delivered the equaliser with a powerful 25-yard free-kick to draw his side level.
Bennet Chenene then tested Mathibe with another long-range strike, before Ruud Krol’s team took the lead in the 74th minute courtesy of a drilled shot by Mhlongo from just outside the penalty area.
And the win was sealed two minutes from time when another Modise rifled shot from the left gave Mathibe no chance and wrapped all three points that moved the Buccaneers to sixth on the Absa Premier League table.