Pirates, who scored through Phenyo Mongala and a rare Zvenyika Makonese goal, were by no means the better side on the night, but had goal keeper Senzo Meyiwa’s outstanding form to thank for the victory.

Celtic played some fantastic football at times, contributing to a thrilling and open encounter, but could only find the back of the net through a Mark Mayambela penalty.

Their coach Owen da Gama was left scratching his head after a bright start which saw Prince Olomu hitting the bar resulted only in Pirates taking a seventh minute lead when Mongala timed his run to perfection to head home an excellent cross from Dikgang Mabalane.

The goal left the visiting side rather shell-shocked and it was ever so close to being 2-0 to Pirates in the 12th minute when Mabalane smashed the ball against the cross-bar, surprising Celtic keeper Patrick Tignyemb by unleashing his effort from some way out on the right flank.

Bucs continued to attack and Thulasizwe Mabuyane wasn’t too far off in the 20th minute when he hit the side-netting.

Phunya Sele Sele did however get a chance to level matters three minutes later, but both Excellent Walaza and Patrick Malokase arrived fractionally too late to get contact on Johannes Motlhaping’s inviting ball across the goalmouth.

Five minutes later Pirates had keeper Meyiwa to thank as he pulled off a breath-taking save to deny Mayambela from scoring with a thunderous drive.

There was more frustration for da Gama towards the end of the half as his side piled the pressure on the Buccaneers but failed to find the back of the net – in the 38th minute Diketo Mototo headed just over the bar following a corner kick and soon after Malokase was let down by a poor first touch with the goal at his mercy.

Celtic started the second half well but although Tlou Segolela provided some excellent service from out wide against his former team, they could not create clear-cut chances.

At the other end Mbuyane made sure Tignyemb stayed alert with some stinging long range efforts, before the visiting side’s fortune finally changed when they were awarded a 69th minute penalty after Makonese was ruled to have brought down former Pirates striker Walaza.

Mayambela took the spot kick and Meyiwa looked poised to make the save, however the ball slipped under his body and into the net much to the relief of the Celtic midfielder.

Olomu should have put Celtic ahead six minutes later but ballooned a shot over the bar after a clever build up.

The game remained tight in the closing stages of regulation time, although with the sensational Segolela, Phunya Sele Sele always looked a threat.

And in the 91st minute the Bafana winger seemed to have provided his side with the winner when he beat Oupa Manyisa for the umpteenth time and pulled the ball back for Denis Kalala.

Kalala’s side-footer was well struck, but again Mewiya made a fabulous save to keep his side in the game.

Amazingly, with the game seemingly destined for extra time, Pirates found time to make Celtic pay for their misses when Makonese headed home a 94th minute winner.

Orlando Pirates (1) 2 (Mongala 7’, Makonese 94’)
Bloemfontein Celtic (0) 1 (Mayambela 69’ pen)

Teams:

Pirates (4-4-2): Meyiwa; Jele, Makonese, Lekgwathi, Manyisa; Mabalane, Mothinbantwa, Kamwendo (Fanteni 80’), Mongala (Nyanda 85’); Mbuyane, Mabena.

Celtic (4-4-2): Tignyemb; Khaile, Sambu, Motlhaping, Goldstone; Mayambela, Mototo, Olomu, Segolela; Walaza (Spandeel 70’), Malokase (Kalala 58’)