Dauda concedes against Black Aces

Ghana goalkeeper Fatau Dauda conceded against Mpumalanga Black Aces in his third appearance for Orlando Pirates in mid-week.

The away side Mpumalanga Black Aces came into this encounter oozing with confidence, after gunning down Ajax Cape Town 2-0 away from home in an Absa Premiership match.

On the other hand, their hosts Orlando Pirates were looking to keep the momentum going, as Bucs had defeated Moroka Swallows 1-0 in their previous league encounter.

The home side started the match well, keeping good possession of the ball, but they were unable to create good goalscoring opportunities as the Aces defence stood firm.

The away side were just unfortunate in the 12th minute. In-form Aces striker Tendai Ndoro's low shot from close range hit the upright, after Bucs defender Siyabonga Sangweni made a mistake at the back.

Bucs nearly broke the deadlock from a set-piece seven minutes later. Midfielder Mpho Makola's curling free-kick from 20 yards out forced Aces goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane into a diving save.

Pirates keeper Fatau Dauda was called into action in the 28th minute. AmaZayoni striker Ndoro managed to outmuscle Bucs defender Sangweni on the edge of the box.

The Zimbabwean international then tried to loop the ball over advancing Dauda. However, the Ghana international keeper was quick to produce a good save to deny Ndoro.

Just six minutes later, Ndoro again tested Dauda with a hard and low shot inside the box after beating his marker. Dauda did well to deny the hard-running striker for the second time.

It was end to end stuff, as Bucs winger Tlou Segolela turned brilliantly in the centre before powering down the pitch and unleashing a powerful shot which deflected off a Aces defender for a corner-kick in the 36th minute.

The entertaining first half came to end when match referee Lwandile Mfiki blew the final whistle and it was 0-0 at half time.

Striker Ndoro failed to direct his free header towards the target from Aces midfielder Onyekachi Okonkwo's well taken set-piece in the 50th minute.

At the other end, Makola's free-kick from the right struck the cross bar, with Aces keeper Mabokgwane rooted to the ground in the 55th minute.

In the 74th minute, Bucs winger Sifiso Myeni unleashed a powerful left footed strike which was parried over the cross bar of Aces keeper Mabokgwane.

The away side broke the deadlock in the 80th minute, when former Orlando Pirates striker Thulasizwe Mbuyane silenced the Bucs supporters.

The 32-year old forward hit a powerful low shot from a set-piece which beat Dauda at his near post to make it 1-0 to Aces.

It ended 1-0 to Aces as they cemented their position inside the top eight on the Absa Premiership standings.