Tshegofatso Mabasa cracks 10-man Amazulu as Orlando Pirates take maximum points

Tshegofatso Mabasa netted with 15 minutes remaining after Usuthu were forced to play a man down from the 20th minute after Abbubaker Mobara received a straight red card.

The decision seemed to have been harsh on the Amazulu midfielder after he was adjudged to have fouled Relebohile Mofokeng as the last man and the teenager clean through on goal.

There were plenty of protests from the visiting bench at the decision after Mobara thought he had won the ball fairly as he rushed across the field as cover defence.

Pirates though could not break Usuthu down for the rest of the first half as the Soweto giants always came up short in the final third.

The pattern had continued after the halftime interval and with Pirates coach Jose Riviero in desperate need of a saviour, sent on Monnapule Saleng from the subs bench.

The winger, with his searing pace and trickery, immediately made a difference to the attack that had looked rather one-dimensional.

Saleng was heavily involved in the winning goal when it was his run and cross down the right that set up Mabasa to score the winner.

It was unfortunate for Amazulu who had gamely hung on and at certain stages looked comfortable with their 10 men on the pitch.

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