Sekhukhune United pulled off a massive 1-0 victory over Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night, denting the Soweto giants’ Betway Premiership title hopes.
Keletso Makgalwa, the Man of the Match, delivered a corner-kick in the second-half that led to Babina Noko’s winning goal. The towering defender Tresor Tshibwabwa was on hand to score.
After losing against Sekhukhune, Pirates are now 12 points adrift of log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who won their match against Richards Bay FC on the same evening.
The Buccaneers returned to the domestic scene after crashing out of the CAF Champions League semi-final this past weekend.
Pirates suffered a disappointing 3-2 defeat on aggregate against Egyptian Premier League side Pyramids FC. The North African giants will face Sundowns in the final of the Champions League, with the first-leg set for the 24th of May, while the return leg is on the 1st of June.
As the 2024/25 season ends, Pirates are left with the Betway Premiership and Nedbank Cup titles to compete for. Bucs are chasing Sundowns for the Premiership title, while they’re going to face arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup final on the 10th of May.
In a crucial league clash against Babina Noko, Pirates had a slow start, failing to trouble their opponents and create goal-scoring opportunities.
ORLANDO PIRATES’ BEST SCORING CHANCE CAME THROUGH KABELO DLAMINI
Pirates’ best scoring chance came in the 32nd minute when Kabelo Dlamini saw his curling free-kick parried away by goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner.
The referee, Olani Kwinda, blew the half-time whistle with the scoreline deadlocked at 0-0, with both teams having it all to do in the second-half.
Sekhukhune United had a promising start to second-half after Makgalwa played a great pass to Mpho Rammala, who ballooned his shot off target.
The Limpopo-based side eventually found the back of the net through Tresor Tshibwabwa with a powerful header from a corner-kick in the 58th minute.
Sekhukhune held on to their one-goal lead to pull off a big upset against Orlando Pirates in their backyard in Soweto.
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