Orlando Pirates rallied from behind to secure a 2-1 win over Cape Town City in Betway Premiership action on Saturday afternoon.
Betway Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 2-1 Cape Town City
Date: 22 February 2025
Venue: Orlando Stadium
The Buccaneers went with the same side that was expected to feature against Golden Arrows before the match was postponed, as Tshegofatso Mabasa spearheaded the attack.
Jose Riveiro's charges came out firing in the first half, signalling their intent early on as Thalente Mbatha and Relebohile Mofokeng had efforts saved by City goalkeeper Darren Keet in the opening ten minutes.
However, it was the Citizens who broke the deadlock on 21 minutes as Haashim Domingo grabbed his first league goal for the club by firing past Sipho Chaine, silencing the home crowd in the process.
Jose Riveiro's charges remained in the ascendancy after going behind but the Citizens were resolute at the back, forcing the Soweto giants to try their luck from distance.
The Buccaneers were dealt a blow after the hour mark, as Patrick Maswanganyi was stretchered off and replaced by Mohau Nkota while Goodman Mosele made his return to action by replacing Makhehlene Makhaula.
The changes paid off as Nkota made an instant impact by racing clear down the left flank before picking out Mabasa, who guided the ball into the far corner for his fifth league goal of the season.
Despite surrendering the lead, City still showed signs of pushing for the second goal, especially after Mushin Erturgal introduced Darwin Gonzalez, who scored the winner in the reverse fixture last month.
The Buccaneers turned things around with four minutes to go, with another substitute making the impact as Mosele bagged his first goal of the season by bundling the ball home from a corner to seal maximum points.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 27. Xoki, 5. Sibisi, 3. Van Rooyen, 26. Shandu, 8. Makhaula, 16. Mbatha, 7. Hotto, 38. Mofokeng, 28. Maswanganyi, 19. Mabasa
Subs: 34. Buthelezi, 23. Maela, 44. Mbokazi, 34. Ndlozi, 20. Mosele, 31. Rasebotja, 15. Ndlondlo, 33. Nkota, 17. Makgopa
Cape Town City: 16. Keet, 11. Nyama, 25. Gordinho, 14. Fasika, 58. Dondolo, 4. Petrus, 12. Mokotjo, 10. Domingo, 24. Francis, 21. Tijueza, 23. Rhodes
Subs: 47. Oliaro, 93. Makaringe, 20. Darwin, 26. Nodada, 27. Goedeman, 55. Amato, 33. Seretsi, 19. Ziba, 50. Witbooi
