Orlando Pirates toiled to a disappointing result on their return to the Betway Premiership, going down at home to Stellenbosch who claimed a 1-0 win at Orlando Stadium on Sunday.
It was a first league defeat in the 2024/25 season for the hosts who dipped to second place on the table, dropping points for the first time at the eighth time of asking.
Having had to wait until late on the weekend to take to the field, the Buccaneers had relinquished their position at the top to Mamelodi Sundowns who edged them on goal difference after victory on Saturday. They came up against a Stellenbosch side that had dropped from fourth place to fifth after the weekend’s earlier fixtures.
The big crowd that had turned out at Orlando had a few reasons to get up from their seats early on in the contest as the hosts swiftly took control of the contest. Patrick Maswanganyi and Deon Hotto both had chances inside the opening 10 minutes as the Buccaneers carved the visitors open, but neither one of them could find the decisive touch.
Further opportunities fell to Relebohile Mofokeng, whose curling effort from outside the box landed inches wide, as well as Mohau Nkota who managed to draw a save from Stellies goalkeeper Sage Stephens after freeing himself from the attention of two defenders and unleashing a shot.
Pirates’ inability to capitalise from their early dominance came back to haunt them moments after the half-hour mark when the visitors managed to stretch their defence through a counter. Devin Titus found himself unmarked out on the left and had no trouble making the most of what was a rare opportunity as he finished past Sipho Chaine to put his side ahead.
A lapse in concentration from Stephens late in the first half gave Pirates a chance to draw level. This was when the shot stopper handled a back pass, resulting in an indirect free kick inside the box for the hosts. It was taken by Mofokeng who teed up Maswanganyi, but the Bucs midfielder fired well over the crossbar from close range.
The home side’s struggles continued in the second half as the team from the Winelands committed numbers at the back. Chances were few and far between until after the hour mark when the Soweto Giants managed to conjure up a few close calls.
The first of these fell to Thalente Mbatha, who managed to get a hold of one well outside the box but could only direct his attempt into the side netting. Replacement midfielder Kabelo Dlamini went even closer in the 65th minute when he collected a pass from Maswanganyi before striking the crossbar.
An excellent save from Chaine late in the contest spared the Buccaneers some blushes as he kept out a firmly-struck shot from Khomotjo Lekoloane.
With only injury time left to navigate, Pirates were gifted a golden opportunity to draw level. This was when Tshegofatso Mabasa produced a clever back heel inside the box following a corner kick, freeing up Nkosinathi Sibisi whose snap-shot from point-blank range found its way into Stephens’ arms.
A final, desperate surge into opposition territory yielded a corner for the hosts, who could not capitalise as the visitors dealt with the threat. That moment summed up an unhappy outing for the Soweto Giants, whose winning streak across competitions was cut to five victories.
