Orlando Pirates registered a third successive win in the Betway Premiership after defeating struggling Chippa United 3-0 on Sunday afternoon.
Betway Premiership
Result: Chippa United 0-3 Orlando Pirates
Date: 31 August 2025
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Evidence Makgopa was recalled to the Buccaneers attack in place of Tshegofatso Mabasa, Thabiso Lebitso was handed a start in the Pirates defence with Bandile Shandu dropping to the bench, while Relebohile Mofokeng was only named on the bench.
There was also a new face on the Chippa bench as former Polokwane City and Black Leopards tactician Luc Eymael officially took over as head coach.
The visitors got off to the perfect start when Pirates pounced on Chippa trying to play out from the back as the ball deflected into the path of Patrick Maswanganyi, who calmly slotted home from close range.
The Chilli Boys were their own worst enemy at times as they needlessly gave away possession in their own half, which certainly did not impress coach Eymael as the first half continued.
That carelessness came back to haunt Chippa five minutes before the break when Sergio Kammies' gifted the ball to Oswin Appollis, who sent Deon Hotto through on goal and the Namibian slammed the ball home.
Pirates carried that momentum into the second half and were awarded a penalty three minutes in when Thabang Molaoa was deemed to have fouled Makgopa, although replays showed the incident took place outside the area. Maswanganyi stepped up but saw his spot-kick saved by Nwabali.
The lively Appollis nearly put his name on the score-sheet on the hour mark after being given time and space from distance to unleash a powerful strike that crashed against the upright with Nwabali left flat-footed.
The third goal arrived in the 65th minute when Appollis turned provider to play in substitute Tshepang Moremi, who sent a first-time finish into the far corner to open his account for the Soweto giants.
Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou opted to re-shuffle the pack with 15 minutes left on the clock as Mofokeng and Sipho Mbule replaced Thalenthe Mbatha and Maswanganyi, who was taken off on a stretcher.
Pirates saw out the closing stage to hold on for the win and a third successive clean sheet as they head into the international break on a high.
Here's how they lined up:
Chippa United: 23. Nwabali, 25. Kammies, 4. Fasika, 30. Molaoa, 27. Modise, 21. Seabi, 8. Mfecane, 17. Philander, Sithole, Mini, 9. Figuareido
Subs: 1. Sithole, 45. Ntsundwana, 19. Peters, 18. Magwaza, 15. Tshobeni, 35. Majadibodu, 10. Matrose, 28. Madingwana, 2. Gamaldien
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 33. Seema, 44. Mbokazi, 7. Hotto, 37. Lebitso, 30. Nduli, 16. Mbatha, 28. Maswanganyi, 36. Sebelebele, 12. Appollis, 17. Makgopa
Subs: 35. Buthelezi, 27. Xoki, 3. Ndaba, 26. Shandu, 15. Nemtajela, 23. Mbule, 38. Mofokeng, 11. Moremi, 19. Mabasa
