Mulenga goal sinks Pirates in Bloemfontein

Orlando Pirates slipped up in a challenge for consecutive South African Premiership titles by losing 1-0 at Bloemfontein Celtic Sunday.Livewire Zambian Clifford Mulenga, sporting an eye-catching biege and black mohawk hairstyle, scored the winner after 14 minutes at sweltering Free State Stadium to inflict a fifth loss in 14 league matches on the 'Buccaneers'.Mulenga latched on to a cross, feigned a shot with his right foot and then struck an unstoppable close-range drive past stand-in goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa with his other foot.Celtic had the upper hand during the first half and were the victims of several dubious offside decisions before the visitors took territorial control after the break.Cameroonian goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb won the man of the match award for several acrobatic saves, including blocking a quickly taken free kick by former Porto UEFA Champions League winner Benni McCarthy.Success was particularly sweet for Celtic as it was only their second victory over Pirates in 13 starts since 2006 and provided a timely morale boost in a season that has seen them struggle to push forward from the middle of the table.Pirates lie seven points behind pacesetters Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United and host Golden Arrows Wednesday in a final first-round fixture before the league takes a break until mid-February because of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Source: AFP