Orlando Pirates secured their second consecutive victory in the Betway Premiership with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Magesi FC at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The win keeps the Buccaneers in second place in the league, narrowing the gap to three points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, with Pirates still holding a game in hand. Looking ahead, the team now shifts focus to their CAF Champions League fixture against Stade d’Abidjan on January 4 in Soweto.
Meanwhile, Magesi FC, currently sitting in 16th place, suffered their sixth league defeat of the season. The Limpopo-based team hopes to end their six-match winless streak when they face TS Galaxy in Mbombela on January 4.
First Half Drama
Pirates dominated from the outset, with goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze making key saves to deny Kabelo Dlamini and Makhehlene Makhaula. The game turned in Pirates’ favor when Magesi’s Lehlogonolo Mokone received a red card in the 39th minute for a foul on Mohau Nkota.
Taking advantage of their numerical superiority, Relebohile Mofokeng scored just before halftime. After dribbling past Tshepo Kakora, Mofokeng curled a brilliant strike into the net, sending the Pirates fans into celebration. Magesi had a chance to equalize with a penalty after Makhaula was penalized for handball, but Wonderboy Makhubu missed the target, leaving Pirates up 1-0 at halftime.
Second Half Action
The second half saw both teams creating chances, with goalkeepers playing crucial roles. Chipezeze denied Dlamini’s curling free-kick in the 69th minute, while Sipho Chaine made a diving save to stop Tholang Masegela’s effort.
Despite relentless attempts by Pirates to extend their lead, including shots from Dlamini, Patrick Maswanganyi, and Gilberto, Chipezeze’s stellar performance kept Magesi in the game. However, the Buccaneers’ defensive resilience ensured the match ended 1-0 in their favor.
This win strengthens Pirates’ position in the title race and provides momentum ahead of their CAF Champions League fixture. For Magesi, it’s back to the drawing board as they seek to turn their season around against TS Galaxy.
– Report edited from PSL website
Photo: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images