Orlando Pirates opened their Betway Premiership campaign with a 1-0 loss to Sekhukhune United on Saturday evening.
Betway Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 0-1 Sekhukhune United
Date: 09 August 2025
Venue: Orlando Stadium
The Buccaneers made just one change from last week's MTN8 win as Tshepo Mashiloane started ahead of Bandile Shandu, which meant Boitumelo Radiopane continued to lead the attack alongside Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis.
Sekhukhune, meanwhile, made three changes from their MTN8 triumph last week, as Daniel Cardoso was restored to the defence while former Pirates duo Thabang Monare and Linda Mntambo were also brought into the line-up.
Cardoso's return nearly proved costly as he almost gifted Pirates the lead on 10 minutes when his clearance from Don Hotto's cross struck the upright with goalkeeper Learner left flat-footed.
The Soweto giants enjoyed a lion share of the possession in the first half but all that dominance did not lead to the net rattling as they were restricted to efforts from distance, with Sipho Mbule and Mofokeng going close with efforts.
The visitors, meanwhile, were happy to sit back and frustrate the Buccaneers while Keletso Makgalwa provided a real attacking threat on the counter.
However, Sekhukhune needed just three minutes when a scramble in the box ended with Siphesihle Mkhize finding the back of the net, with the assistant referee confirming the ball did cross the line despite appeals from the Pirates players.
Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou responded with a double change just before the hour mark as new signings Abdoulaye Mariko and Yanela Mbuthuma replaced Mbule and Radiopane with the hope of getting the home side back on level terms.
The hosts did go close to pulling themselves level in the 75th minute when Hotto's well-taken free-kick found Mbokazi, who saw his header kept out by the upright before Sekhukhune were able to clear.
The Buccaneers were camped in the Sekhukhune half for the remaining stages of the second half, with Mbuthuma going closest with a header that sailed over the crossbar.
In the end, Eric Tinkler's side were able to hold out for the remainder of the game to claim three points in their opening clash while Pirates start with a defeat on home soil.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 2. Mashiloane, 5. Sibisi, 44. Mbokazi, 7. Hotto, 30. Nduli, 23. Mbule, 28. Maswanganyi, 38. Mofokeng, 12. Appollis, 42. Radiopane
Subs: 40. Dladla, 36. Sebelebele, 46. Dansin, 32. Mariko, 17. Makgopa, 18. Dlamini, 11. Moremi, 9. Mbuthuma, 3. Ndaba
Sekhukhune United: 16. Leaner, 4. Cardoso, 19. Thokolo, 25. Letlapa, 28. Matsimbi, 23. Mntambo, 15. Mkhize, 8. Monare, 7. Makgalwa, 18. Mncube, 17. Grobler
Subs: 40. Ratisani, 14. Langa, 3. Ndlovu, 31. Mokoena, 22. Mnandi, 24. Malivha, 6. Timm, 34. Ohizu, 20. Mampuru
