Orlando Pirates made it back-to-back wins in the Betway Premiership after defeating Golden Arrows 2-1 on Tuesday evening.
Betway Premiership
Result: Golden Arrows 1-2 Orlando Pirates
Date: 06 May 2025
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
With one eye on the weekend's Nedbank Cup final, Pirates coach Jose Riveiro made a few changes as goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi, Boitumelo Radiopane, Yanga Madiba, Karim Kimvuidi, Deano van Rooyen and Patrick Maswanganyi all came into the starting line-up.
Arrows made a lively start to the encounter as Siyanda Mthanti forced Buthelezi into an early save while an un-marked Nhlanhla Zwane failed to guide his header on target as the Pirates defence showed no signs of improving on set-pieces.
Manqoba Mngqithi's charges did not give the Pirates players a chance to breathe on the ball in for most of the first period, as the likes of Kabelo Dlamini and Maswaganyi struggled to dictate the possession for the visiting side.
Riveiro's men did take a bit more control in the closing stages of the first half but surprisingly they were unable to register a single shot at Edward Maova's goal, although Kimvuidi did go close on a couple occasions.
Scroll through the gallery above to action from Pirates' clash with Arrows.
However, the Buccaneers came out firing in the second half and broke the deadlock six minutes in as Maswanganyi latched on Kabelo Dlamini's through-ball before rounding Moava and firing into an empty net for his second league goal.
Arrows weren't behind for too long as Velemseni Ndwandwe did well to pick out the run of Mthanti, who sent a first-time finish past Buthelezi at the near post.
Riveiro made an inspired substitution on the hour mark as Radiopane made way for Tshegofatso Mabasa, who went on to restore Pirates' lead in the 72nd minute with his sixth league with a lovely volley that rattled the back of the net.
The Buccaneers had a couple more chances to extend their lead but were not able to capitilise, as the two goals were enough to seal back-to-back league wins ahead of the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Arrows and Pirates will also meet for the second time next Tuesday at Orlando Stadium.
Here's how they lined up:
Golden Arrows: 34. Maova, 39. Jiyane, 26. Kobedi, 28. Matlaba , 41. Zwane, 24. Dlamini, 30. S.Cele, 12. Ndwandwe, 11. Sibiya, 38. Mthanti, 46. Msomi
Subs: 1. Watenga, 50. Masuku, 16. Lukhele, 27. Nxadi, 25. Maxwele, 14. Van Rooi, 29. Sithole, 7. Malinga, 33. Phillips
Orlando Pirates: 35. Buthelezi, 27. Xoki, 44. Mbokazi, 26. Shandu, 3. Van Rooyen, 8. Makhaula, 18. Dlamini, 28. Maswanganyi, 30. Madiba, 25. Kimvuidi, 42. Radiopane
Subs: 40. Dladla, Selepe, 47. Ndlozi, 33. Nkota, 29. Mako, 23. Maela, 9. Mabasa, 17. Makgopa, 7. Hotto
