Orlando Pirates' Betway Premiership titles hopes suffered a blow after losing 1-0 to Sekhukhune United at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night.
Betway Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 0-1 Sekhukhune United
Date: 30 April 2025
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro rang the changes after the loss to Pyramids, as Paseko Mako, Bandile Shandu and Kabelo Dlamini were recalled to the starting line-up, as Deano van Rooyen, Thapelo Xoki and Makhehlene Makhaula dropped to the bench.
The Buccaneers dominated possession in the early stages of the first half, with Thalente Mbatha and Dlamini seeing a lot of the ball but the clear-cut chances were few and far between in the opening 15 minutes.
The hosts had to wait until the 21st minute for their first big opening when Relebohile Mofokeng picked out the run of Shandu in the box, but the latter sent his effort well over the crossbar.
Sekhukhune, meanwhile, barely offered anything going forward as the likes of Keletso Makgalwa and Chibuike Ohizu were kept quiet by the Buccaneers defence whenever they did get the ball in the opposition half.
That proved to be the trend for the remainder of the half as the away side were quite happy to sit back and soak up the pressure while restricting the Buccaneers to shots from distance in the latter stages.
Sekhukhune coach Eric Tinkler made one change at the start of the second half, as former Pirates midfielder Linda Mntambo replaced Samkele Sihlali.
Frustration began to grow for the home fans in the second half as the young Mbekezeli Mbokazi squandered a glorious chance six minutes after the break by blazing his effort over the crossbar from six yards out.
Pirates were made to rue that miss as Sekhukhune took the lead in the 57th minute after Tshibwabwa Yamba Yamba got to a corner ahead of Sipho Chaine and headed into an empty net for his third goal of the campaign.
Riveiro responded with a triple change for the final 25 minutes as Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, Patrick Maswanganyi and Tshegofatso Mabasa were introduced in place of Mako, Mbatha and Makgopa.
However, things got worse for the Buccaneers with six minutes left in the half as defender Nkosinathi Sibisi was given his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card, meaning he will miss the Soweto derby on Saturday.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 26. Shandu, 5. Sibisi, 44. Mbokazi, 29. Mako, 7. Hotto, 16. Mbatha, 18. Dlamini, 38. Mofokeng, 33. Nkota, 17. Makgopa
Subs: 35. Buthelezi, 42. Radiopane, 34. Ndlozi, 30. Madiba, 27. Xoki, 28. Maswanganyi, 9. Mabasa, 15. Ndlondlo, 8. Makhaula
Sekhukhune United: 16. Leaner, 4. Cardoso, 14. Langa, 33. Rammala, 29. Tshibwabwa, 15. Mkhize, 18. Monare, 12. Mogaila, 38. Sihlali, 7. Makgalwa, 34. Ohizu
Subs: 30. Sangare, 25. Letlapa, Mokoena, 32. Mntambo, 3. Shezi, 17. Kapinga, 45. Tlaka, 2. Ngakosso, 9. Boyeli
