Football
Nick Said, Special to ESPN 6y

Musa Nyatama ends Pirates' year-long wait for away league win

Musa Nyatama scored against his former side as Orlando Pirates beat in-form Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 to claim a first away league victory in over a year on Sunday.

Nyatama was a stalwart for Celtic in four seasons at the club, but moved to Pirates at the start of this campaign, with his first goal for his new team coming against Siwelele.

Despite their iffy run, Pirates move up to second in the table with the win, one point behind leaders Baroka FC, who twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with strugglers Platinum Stars.

Pirates were largely dominant against Telkom Knockout finalists Celtic, as Thabo Qalinge flashed a shot across goal early on with one of their rare clear-cut openings.

At the other end, Celtic midfielder Lantshane Phalane tried to catch Pirates goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane off his line with a shot that went just wide.

Celtic made the brighter start to the second half as Ndumiso Mabena, back from suspension, looked as though he was clear one-on-one with Mabokgwane, but Pirates defender Gladwin Shitolo put in a fantastic last-ditch tackle.

The breakthrough came on the hour-mark as Celtic failed to clear a scramble in the box and Nyatama poked the ball past Patrick Tignyemb in the home goal.

Phalane went close with a free kick, but Pirates were able to comfortably see out the rest of the game for a first way victory in the league in 12 months since they won 1-0 at Chippa United on November 22, 2016, a run of 17 games.

In Polokwane, Katlego Otladisa scored a first career goal to give Stars the lead at Baroka, which they held past halftime.

However, the home side drew level with a superb long-range strike from Botswana international Mpho Kgaswane just before the hour-mark.

After Bongi Ntuli had missed a fantastic chance to regain the lead for Stars, they were ahead once more as Malawian international Robert Ng'ambi extended his record as the club's leading goal-scorer in history when he netted from close-range.

There was a sting in the tail, however, as Ng'ambi's compatriot Robin Ngalande ensured a point for the hosts as he netted his second goal in as many games with a fine volleyed strike.

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