After enduring seven-match goal-drought, Flames striker Gabadinho Mhango rose to the occasion on Wednesday evening and scored in the 90th minute to earn Orlando Pirates a vital 1-0 win over Maritzburg United.

After being relegated to the bench, Mhango stepped onto the pitch to replace Fortune Makaringe in the 83rd minute and his left-foot strike miraculously helped Pirates head into the last game of the season only a point away from a CAF Confederations Cup spot.

So timely was the goal that it has also helped the Flames striker to revive his Golden Boot dream after Namibia’s Peter Shalulile had overtaken him following his lone strike in Highlands Park’s 1-0 win over Cape Town City.

The two strikers remain tied at 15 goals apiece going into the last day of the season.

It was also a good day for Mhango’s compatriot Robert Ngambi, as his Black Leopards side managed a 1-0 victory over Bidvest Wits though his side remains 14th on the table.

Malawian coach John Maduka also maintained his unbeaten run since being appointed Bloemfontein Celtic after holding Arrows to a goalless draw.

Celtic is still on position nine on the table with 36 points and may finish in Top 8 if they collect maximum points in the last game, and if Highlands Park, which also has Malawian defender Limbikani Mzava, drops points.

For Flames duo Gerald Phiri Jnr and Richard Mbulu, it was yet another bad evening as they slipped to a 4-1 defeat to SuperSport United.

Though the battle for the championship will go to the wire, Kaizer Chiefs moved to within sniffing distance of the title after a narrow 1-0 victory over nine-man Chippa United.

Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns left nothing to chance as they made sure they walloped Polokwane City 3-0.

Though the two sides are tied at 56 points, Amakhosi still top the table on goal difference ahead of Sundowns going into the last day of the season on Saturday.

Source: Football Association of Malawi