Orlando Pirates got back to winning ways in the Betway Premiership after defeating Chippa United 1-0 on Wednesday night.
Betway Premiership
Result: Chippa United 0-1 Orlando Pirates
Date: 05 March 2025
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Siyabonga Ndlozi made their first starts in the league in the Buccaneers defence, while Melusi Buthelezi made his second league appearance in place of the suspended Sipho Chaine between the sticks.
Mohau Nkota was also recalled to the Pirates line-up, with the young winger making his presence felt in the early stages of the first half with some impressive runs down the right flank.
The Chilli Boys, meanwhile, grew stronger as the first half went on and started enjoying more of the possession although there were lacking with final ball in the 18-yard area.
With Nkota getting a lot of joy down the flank, Chippa coach Thabo September re-shuffled the pack a bit as Azola Ntsabo, who was on a yellow card, was taken off for Malebogo Modise eight minutes before the break.
The Bucccaneers got their reward on the stroke of halftime as Nkosinathi Sibisi nodded home a corner from Mofokeng at the near post.
Pirates carried that momentum into the second period as they went in search of more goals, with Mokate going close ten minutes in after firing over the crossbar after carving out some space in the box.
Riveiro made a double change for the Soweto giants on the hour mark as Goodman Mosele and Paseko Mako replaced Thalente Mbatha and Dlamini to bolster the team with Chippa getting more stronger in search of their equaliser.
The Buccaneers had the ball in the back of the net on 78 minutes when Nkota crossed for Mosele to volley home, however the celebrations were cut short as the ball was deemed to have gone out in the build up.
Nevertheless, the one goal was enough to seal victory for the Buccaneers, who now sit 16 points behind Mamelodi Sundowns with four games in habd.
Here's how they lined up:
Chippa United: 23. Nwabali, 25. Kammies, 18. Malaoa, 4. Makhele, 3. Ntsabo, 24. Konqobe, 30. Martin, 28. Madingwana, 22. Tyongwana, 17. Philander, 14. Kwayiba.
Subs: 30. Johnson, 27. Modise, 33. Chabalala, 21. Mazibuko, 45. Mqokozo,17. Maarman, 6. Bolani, 9. Eva Nga
Orlando Pirates: 34. Buthelezi, 44. Mbokazi, 5. Sibisi,34. Ndlozi, 7. Hotto, 8. Makhaula, 16. Mbatha, 18. Dlamini, 33. Nkota, 38. Mofokeng, 9. Mabasa.
Subs: 40. Dladla, 32. Moleleki, 29. Mako, 27. Xoki, 26. Shandu, 25. Kimvuidi, 20. Mosele, 17. Makgopa, 15. Ndlondlo.
