A late goal by Goodman Mosele secured Orlando Pirates a hard-fought 2-1 win against Cape Town City FC at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday afternoon.
The Betway Premiership match looked like it could end 1-1 before the goal by Mosele, who was playing his first match of the season.
Haashim Domingo scored for the visitors in the first half while the home side scored the other goal through the in-form Tshegofatso Mabasa in the second half.
The visitors were without midfielder Fortune Makaringe who has been missing since October 2024 due to an ankle injury.
Pirates on the other hand were without Kabelo Dlamini, who is serving a one-match ban. But the Buccaneers welcomed back Thalente Mbatha and Goodman Mosele.
BUCCANEERS FIGHT UNTIL THE END TO SECURE MAXIMUM POINTS
Pirates were the more aggressive of the two sides in the first few minutes of the match putting the visitors under pressure. The home side could have found the lead but wasted a few opportunities.
Relebohile Mofokeng produced a great run on the left-hand side beating two defenders before attempting a cross, but his attempt was deflected out for a corner in the early stages of the first half.
The Buccaneers got another opportunity six minutes later through Mofokeng but Keet was well-positioned to deal with the trouble.
The visitors immediately launched a counter-attack and capitalised through Haashim Domingo, which was their first chance of the match in the 21st minute. 10 minutes later, CT City nearly doubled the lead through Prins Tjiueza but his low shot was saved by Sipho Chaine.
An unmarked Mofokeng hit a shot from a long way out of the box, forcing a great save from Darren Keet four minutes before half time.
ORLANDO PIRATES COME FROM BEHIND TO SECURE WIN IN SOWETO
The Buccaneers pushed for an equaliser and were finally rewarded in the 67th minute after Tshegofatso Mabasa scored from close range.
Despite a push for the winner by creating opportunities, Pirates looked like they would settle for a point. But the more spirited Buccaneers finally got the winner three minutes from time through Mosele.
In the other Betway premiership match on Saturday afternoon, Sekhukhune United beat Chiopa United 1-0 at Buffalo City Stadium. Shaune Mogaila scored the only goal of the match in the first half.
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