A few minutes after missing from the spot, second-half sub Tshegofatso Mabasa redeemed himself and netted a crucial late winner to give Orlando Pirates a 2-1 win over Nigerian side Enyimba in their second CAF Confed Cup Group A match on a rainy night at Orlando Stadium yesterday.
In the 77th minute, Mabasa squandered a glorious opportunity to put Pirates ahead, ballooning his spot-kick after slipping on the slippery pitch. However, his powering header 13 minutes later cleared him off any guilt.
Deon Hotto scored Bucs' first goal midway through the second half before Enyimba pulled one back via skipper Augustine Oladapo, who converted from 12-yard, in the stoppage time of the first half.
Presumably, the intention was to spare them for Sunday's Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs, Pirates were without skipper Happy Jele and versatile midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu.
Siyabonga Mpontshane kept his place in the line-up in the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Richard Ofori, who was injured in their goalless draw against Algerian side ES Sétif in his native country Ghana last Sunday.
Jele's absence saw Thulani Hlatshwayo partner with Innocent Maela at the heart of Bucs rearguard, while Ndlovu's right-back spot was occupied by Ntsikelelo Nyauza.
As usual, the Buccaneers started the game with Hotto as their false striker, with natural centre-forwards Gabadinho Mhango and Mabasa settling for slots on the bench. Mabasa would replace Linda Mntambo early in the second half.
The Nigerians didn't want to temper with a winning team, making just one change from the starting line-up that beat Libyan outfit Al Ahly Benghazi in their Group A opener the other Wednesday. The single change was in the middle of the park where Farouk Mohammed took Ojo Solomon's position.
The first stanza was characterised by qualm as both teams lacked the required cutting edge to create opportunities. Even so, Pirates saw more ball possession until Enyimba grew in confidence in the later stages of the half.
Pirates' slight dominance paid off when Hotto scored via a cheeky back heel just three minutes before the half-hour mark.
Enyimba restored parity when skipper Oladapo converted from the spot in the first stanza's stoppage time after Mpontshane had fouled Anayo Iwuala.
Pirates displayed more desire and sense of urgency in the second period. Kabelo Dlamini, who came in for Ben Motshwari two minutes before the hour mark, engineered Bucs' resurgence in the second period, dropping into pockets of space.
Midfielder missed penalty before redeeming himself
Mabasa nets crucial goal as Pirates overcome Enyimba
A few minutes after missing from the spot, second-half sub Tshegofatso Mabasa redeemed himself and netted a crucial late winner to give Orlando Pirates a 2-1 win over Nigerian side Enyimba in their second CAF Confed Cup Group A match on a rainy night at Orlando Stadium yesterday.
In the 77th minute, Mabasa squandered a glorious opportunity to put Pirates ahead, ballooning his spot-kick after slipping on the slippery pitch. However, his powering header 13 minutes later cleared him off any guilt.
Deon Hotto scored Bucs' first goal midway through the second half before Enyimba pulled one back via skipper Augustine Oladapo, who converted from 12-yard, in the stoppage time of the first half.
Presumably, the intention was to spare them for Sunday's Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs, Pirates were without skipper Happy Jele and versatile midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu.
Siyabonga Mpontshane kept his place in the line-up in the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Richard Ofori, who was injured in their goalless draw against Algerian side ES Sétif in his native country Ghana last Sunday.
Jele's absence saw Thulani Hlatshwayo partner with Innocent Maela at the heart of Bucs rearguard, while Ndlovu's right-back spot was occupied by Ntsikelelo Nyauza.
As usual, the Buccaneers started the game with Hotto as their false striker, with natural centre-forwards Gabadinho Mhango and Mabasa settling for slots on the bench. Mabasa would replace Linda Mntambo early in the second half.
The Nigerians didn't want to temper with a winning team, making just one change from the starting line-up that beat Libyan outfit Al Ahly Benghazi in their Group A opener the other Wednesday. The single change was in the middle of the park where Farouk Mohammed took Ojo Solomon's position.
The first stanza was characterised by qualm as both teams lacked the required cutting edge to create opportunities. Even so, Pirates saw more ball possession until Enyimba grew in confidence in the later stages of the half.
Pirates' slight dominance paid off when Hotto scored via a cheeky back heel just three minutes before the half-hour mark.
Enyimba restored parity when skipper Oladapo converted from the spot in the first stanza's stoppage time after Mpontshane had fouled Anayo Iwuala.
Pirates displayed more desire and sense of urgency in the second period. Kabelo Dlamini, who came in for Ben Motshwari two minutes before the hour mark, engineered Bucs' resurgence in the second period, dropping into pockets of space.