Orlando Pirates claimed a narrow 1-0 win over Bloemfontein Celtic at Orlando Stadium on Saturday night to move up to seventh on the Absa Premiership standings.

Midfielder Mpho Makola scored the only goal of the game early in the second half, with the Buccaneers holding on to claim a victory which sees them move to 29 points from 21 matches. Phunya Sele Sele remain in 12th with 22 points from 21 matches.

Pirates created the first chance of the match as early as the third minute, with Mpho Makola playing a great through ball to give Thabo Rakhale a sight of goal, but the speedy winger was beaten to the ball by Celtic goalkeeper Partick Tignyemb.

The Buccaneers were the more fluid and confident team in attack, with Celtic’s somewhat disjointed efforts best encapsulated by an incident midway through the first half when Musa Nyatama appeared to be in the process of opening up the space to shoot on goal from a great position, only to be accidentally tripped by his own teammate Fiston Razak Abdul.

However, the visitors continued to grow in confidence and on 32 minutes Phunya Sele Sele nearly claimed the lead when Razak Abdul got in behind the defence, but his effort from a tight angle was well saved by Bucs ‘keeper Brighton Mhlongo.

On 39 minutes a defensive error from Celtic’s Tshepo Rikhotso handed Lehlohonolo Majoro a great chance to open the scoring, but the striker snatched at the chance and put his effort over the target with only the goalkeeper to beat.

In injury time Makola had an even better chance after a sweeping move gave him a clear shooting opportunity in the penalty area, but his left-footed effort was hit straight at Tignyemb, who easily repelled the ball to ensure the half ended goalless.

Yet the former Free State Stars midfielder atoned for his error less than two minutes into the second stanza, scoring with a shot direct from a free kick. Makola’s effort took a slight deflection off the defensive wall, which wrong-footed Tignyemb and gave him no real chance of making a save.

Just before the hour mark Celtic almost claimed an equaliser, with some good passing opening space for Thapelo Morena to shoot – the midfielder’s effort had the beating of Mhlongo, but rebounded off the inside of the post.

On 76 minutes the visitors needed Tignyemb to make a world class save to keep out a long-range grasscutter from Rakhale – the ‘keeper have seen the ball late through a crowd of players, but reacted brilliantly to make a one-handed save. However, his efforts were in vain as Pirates held on to claim the 1-0 win.

The match was marred by missile throwing and violence from supporters at the stadium in the dying minutes.

Orlando Pirates (0) 1 (Makola 47’)

Bloemfontein Celtic 0

Teams:

Orlando Pirates: Mhlongo, Matlaba, Gcaba, Gyimah, Phungwayo, Rakhale, Sarr, Makola, Memela (Qalinge 69’), Motupa (Nyauza 81’), Majoro (Ndoro 80’)

Bloemfontein Celtic: Tignyemb, Letlabika (Lubise 88’), Rikhotso, Fransman, Morena, Ndengane, Phalane (Lakay 82’), Nyatama, Matuka, Zuma, Razak Abdul (Massa 78’)