Orlando Pirates cut Mamelodi Sundowns' lead to 12 points after defeating Polokwane City 1-0 on Saturday afternoon.
Betway Premiership
Result: Polokwane City 0-1 Orlando Pirates
Date: 05 April 2025
Venue: Old Peter Mokaba Stadium
The Buccaneers were boosted by the return of Patrick Maswanganyi from injury while Paseko Mako replaced Thapelo Xoki in defence following the win over MC Alger on Tuesday night.
The game got off to a lively start in Polokwane, as Oswin Appollis forced Sipho Chaine into fine save early on while Relebohile Mofokeng had been denied by City goalkeeper Bwire at the other end inside the opening 15 minutes.
The Soweto giants continued to dominate possession as the half went on, but they weren't creating too many clear-cut openings in the final third for the likes of Mofokeng, Evidence Makgopa and Mohua Nkota.
Rise and Shine nearly got the breakthrough against the run of play just before the break as the lively Appollis managed to carve out some space in the box before seeing his strike deflect inches over the crossbar.
There was not much change in the second half, which prompted Jose Riveiro to make a double change before the hour mark as Makgopa and Thalanthe Mbatha made way for Tshegofatso Mabasa and Kabelo Dlamini.
Pirates were gifted the opening goal in the 66th minute as Bwire failed to collect a routine ball into the box and dropped the ball at the feet of Nkosinathi Sibisi, who bundled the ball home to double his tally for the season.
Rise and Shine responded with a change as Lerato Ntamane came on for Thato Letshedi in the attack, while Goodman Mosele came on for Makhehlene Makhaula, who looked to have picked up a slight injury.
However, Pirates were able to see out the closing stages of the second half to secure victory and move to within 12 points of Sundowns with three games in hand.
Here's how they lined up:
Polokwane City: 50. Bwire, 22. Makhubela, 33. Ndlovu, 34. Nkaki, 5. Baloyi, 21. Kambala, 7. Ramabu, 14. Maphangule, 17. Dlamini, 8. Letshedi, 11. Appollis
Subs: 40. Mathebula, 42. Manthonsi, 4. Nikani, 47. Batlhabane, 43. Gwangqa, 47. Goovadia, 15. Raphadu, 23. Ntamane, 45. Ramushu
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 3. Van Rooyen, 44. Mbokazi, 29. Mako, 5. Sibisi, 8. Makhaula, 16. Mbatha, 28. Maswanganyi, 33. Nkota, 38. Mofokeng, 17. Makgopa
Subs: 35. Buthelezi, 30. Madiba, 27. Xoki, 26. Shandu, 25. Kimvuidi, 20. Mosele, 19. Mabasa, 18. Dlamini, 7. Hotto
