Orlando Pirates were left to rue their missed chances when they succumbed to a 1-0 loss to Chippa United in a PSL encounter on Sunday afternoon.
Having dominated the majority of the match, Bucs went to sleep at the back in the closing stages and Abdi Banda scored what proved to be the winning goal for the Chilli Boys at Orlando Stadium. It is Chippa's first away win over Pirates since 2013.
Coach Jose Riveiro made five changes to the team which drew 1-1 with Stellenbosch FC on Wednesday. Vincent Pule and Kwame Peprah made their first starts of the season as the Buccaneers looked to return to winning ways.
On the other hand, the pressure was beginning to mount on coach Daine Klate with Chippa having failed to record a win this season prior to this match. The Pirates legend named Bucs loanee Azola Matrose in the starting line-up, while Diego Appolis led the attack.
Chippa were happy to sit back and allow Pirates to dominate possession with Klate's side ready to pounce on the counter-attack. The Buccaneers were able to create chances but they were very indecisive in the final third.
Peprah was sent through on goal, but the Ghanaian marksman couldn't decide whether to pass the ball or shoot at goal until he lost possession, while Thabang Monare failed to turn home Deon Hotto's cross from close range.
Pirates were nearly punished by Appolis after Thabiso Monyane had lost possession in the middle of the park just before half-time. However, goalkeeper Richard Ofori produced a superb diving save to deny the young striker and the score was 0-0 at the interval.
The Buccaneers continued to enjoy most of the possession with Peprah looking lively after the restart. The former King Faisal vice-captain sent Thembinkosi Lorch through on goal with a lovely pass, but the latter failed to hit the target with only goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua to beat.
The Bucs technical team decided to make changes - pulling out Peprah and introducing Eva Nga who headed a pinpoint cross from Lorch wide of the target, before an unmarked Monare also failed to direct his header home from close range with the Chilli Boys under siege.
However, the hosts were left to rue their missed chances when Banda headed home Janovane September's corner-kick to hand Chippa a 1-0 lead in the 86th minute. Pirates had a chance to snatch a late equalising goal in stoppage time, but Pule was fantastically denied by Kazapua to ensure that Chippa claimed a 1-0 win.
As a result, Pirates registered their first defeat of the season and they will now take on Royal AM in Durban on Wednesday, while Chippa recorded their maiden win of the term ahead of their clash with Maritzburg United in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday.
