Orlando Pirates secured a 1-0 win over ten-man Magesi FC in their final Betway Premiership clash of the year on Sunday afternoon.
Betway Premiership
Result: Magesi FC 0-1 Orlando Pirates
Date: 29 December 2024
Venue: Old Peter Mokaba Stadium
Pirates made two changes following their rampant win over Marumo Gallants, as Evidence Makgopa took the place of the suspended Tshegofatso Mabasa and Paseka Mako came in for the injured Deon Hotto.
The game opened up from the early exchanges, as the Buccaneers midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula had a curling shot in the box saved by goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze.
At the other end, Bafedile Baloyi also had a big chance for Magesi at the near post but scooped his volley over the crossbar.
However, Jose Riveiro's charges pinned Dikwena in their own half after 20 minutes but they could not create opportunities.
The Soweto giants gained a numerical advantage after Papi Zothwane's men were reduced to ten men just before the break following the red-card of Lehlogonolo Mokone, who was dismissed for a high tackle on Nkota.
Relebohile Mofokeng eventually broke the deadlock for Pirates on the stroke of halftime with a curling shot from the edge of the box.
However, Magesi had the chance to level matters minutes later from the penalty spot, but Wonderboy Makhubo was unable to capitilise and sent his spot kick wide of the post.
With a man up, Riveiro made a tactical change for the visitors at halftime, as Patrick Maswanganyi replaced Makhaula.
Pirates, however, were cautious in the early exchanges of the second stanza and were managing the game, rather than going on all-out attack.
Dikwena got into the game with 20 minutes to go after Tholang Masegela came close to making it 1-1 with a cracker from the edge of the box that forced shot-stopper Sipho Chaine into an acrobatic save.
The Soweto giants slowed down the pace of the game in the dying minutes and Boitumelo Radiopane had a chance to kill the game in added time with a free header in the box that missed wide.
However, the Buccaneers held on in the end as they reduced the gap behind log-leaders Sundowns to three points, in second spot, with a game in hand.
Here's how they lined up:
Magesi FC: 1. Chipezeze, 2. Mashigo, 4. Makgoga, 8. Mokone, 18. Rademeyer, 6. Darpoh, 15. Masegela, 12. Baloyi, 16. Kokora, 34. Mokone, 41. Makhubu.
Subs: 24. Tshabalala, 10. Matsemela, 23. Komape, 33. Mzava, 40. Motupa, 27. Njoti, 14. Sekgota, 7. Seroto, 35. Matima.
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 5. Sibisi, 36. Sesane, 29. Mako, 3. van Rooyen, 16. Mbatha, 8. Makhaula, 18. Dlamini, 33. Nkota, 38. Mofokeng, 17. Makgopa
Subs: 35. Buthelezi, 42. Radiopane, 32. Moleleki, 31. Rasebotja, 28. Maswanganyi, 27. Xoki, 21. Tshobeni, 11. Gliberto, 2. Monyane.
