Orlando Pirates see off Golden Arrows in thriller

Pirates' goals were scored by Monnapule Saleng, Terrence Dzvukamanja and Vincent Pule, while Velemseni Ndwandwe got on the board for Arrows.

This was Pirates' first win in three games and the result lifts them to fifth on the table with 22 points, while Arrows sit in ninth spot on 19 points,

In the opening minute, Knox Mutizwa (Golden Arrows) hammered a left-footed shot from the left side of the box which was saved by goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.

In the 11th minute, Kabelo Dlamini sent in a corner to Kermit Erasmus (Orlando Pirates) but he headed the ball high and wide of goal and should have done better.

Ten minutes later, Erasmus was released on the left and went one-on-one with keeper Sifiso Mlungwana, who made a goal-saving block to keep the scores goalless.

In the 28th minute, Pirates took the lead when Monnapule Saleng ran onto a fine cross from the right, by Bandile Shandu, to score with a left-footed shot from close to make it 1-0 in Bucs' favour.

Thabang Monare came close to scoring for Pirates in the 34th minute but headed narrowly wide from a corner.

The sides went in at the half-time break with Pirates still leading 1-0 after having more of the possession in the opening 45 minutes.

In the 67th minute, Arrows brought on Velemseni Ndwandwe replacing Lungelo Dube, which changed the game.

And minute later Arrows scored, when a cross by Knox Mutizwa found Ndwandwe, who fired a shot from outside the box to score in the left corner to make it all square at 1-1.

In the 78th minute, Pirates tried their luck when a ball by Terrence Dzvukamanja reached Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo but his shot from distance was easily saved.

Arrows tried to grab a late winner in the 85th minute, when a lofted corner by Nduduzo Sibiya reached Velemseni Ndwandwe in the box but he headed the ball high and wide.

Shortly afterwards, Pirates came close to scoring themselves when Saleng's cross reached Innocent Maela in the box but his shot missed the post to the left.

Then in the 92nd minute, Bucs grabbed the lead when Terrence Dzvukamanja scored with a header from a corner by Saleng making it 2-1.

Two minutes later, Pirates were on the score sheet again when Vincent Pule tried a shot from outside the box which found the back of the net to add the third goal making it 3-1 in favour of the home side.