Orlando Pirates returned to winning ways in the Betway Premiership after defeating SuperSport United 1-0 on Tuesday night.
Betway Premiership
Result: SuperSport United 0-1 Orlando Pirates
Date: 20 May 2025
Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Pirates interim coach Mandla Ncikazi handed a first-team debut to goalkeeper Siyabonga Dladla on his 24th birthday, while Thalente Mbatha returned to the line-up in place of the suspended Mofokeng following the draw against TS Galaxy over the weekend.
The Pretoria outfit came into the clash knowing a win will take them three points clear of the relegation play-off spot heading, although they still have played two games less than Cape Town City.
The game was quite evenly poised in the early stages of the first half, although neither side were able to carve out any serious chances in the opening 20 minutes, with SuperSport surprisingly not putting any pressure on debutant Dladla.
That proved to be the trend for the remainder of the first half until SuperSport carved out a chance five minutes before the break when Aphiwe Baliti did well to pick out Lebohang Maboe, who blazed over the crossbar from inside the box.
At the other end, it was a quiet first half between the sticks for SuperSport goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa, who did not have big save the entire opening 45 minutes as the Buccaneers struggled to carve any chances for Tshegofatso Mabasa.
Scroll through the gallery above to see action from Pirates' win over SuperSport.
The clash was a bit more open in the second half, which led to a couple chances as Pirates went close on 56 minutes when Mabasa did well to play in Mohau Nkota, who was denied by the on-rushing Mbanjwa.
Both sides opted for a change on the hour mark as Pirates threw on Karim Kimvuidi for Kabelo Dlamini, while SuperSport introduced veteran striker Bradley Grobler for Keanin Ayer.
Pirates' change made the difference as Kimvuidi embarked on a surging run before threading a pass for Nkota, who cut onto his left and fired past Mbanjwa for his third league goal of the season.
The home side nearly pulled themselves level with minutes on the clock when Pogiso Sanoka's cross found the run of Nyiko Mobbie, who saw his powerful header crash against the upright with Dladla well beaten.
There would be no late collapse for Pirates this time around, as they held on for three points and a clean sheet for Dladla while SuperSport remain in 14th position.
Here's how they lined up:
SuperSport United: 1. Mbanjwa, 2. Mobbie, 3. Hlatshwayo, 4. Sanoka, 29. Baliti, 38. Moralo, 25. Ayer, 24. Lakay, 35. Maboe, 8. Ndlovu, 27. Saile.
Subs: 20. Goss, 7. Grobler, 33. Ndebele, 26. Quaicoe, 36. Matodzi, 11. Dzvukamanja, 32. Nurkovic
Orlando Pirates: 40. Dladla, 5. Sibisi, 44. Mbokazi, 26. Shandu, 7. Hotto, 47. Selepe, 16. Mbatha, 28. Maswanganyi, 33. Nkota, 18. Dlamini, 9. Mabasa
Subs: 24. Chaine, 46. Dansin, 42. Radiopane, 32. Moleleki, 30. Madiba, 27. Xoki, 25. Kimvuidi, 21. Tshobeni, 3. Van Rooyen.
