Orlando Pirates secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Magesi FC in the Betway Premiership at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday to move level on 32 points with Mamelodi Sundowns.
Relebohile Mofokeng and Yanela Mbuthuma netted for Pirates in the first half, giving them three points that saw them leapfrog rivals Kaizer Chiefs to move back to second place.
Pirates hosted Magesi at home, seeking their first win of 2026 to keep their title hopes alive. The Buccaneers opened the second half of the 2025/26 season with a disappointing goalless draw against Sekhukhune United last weekend.
Pirates came into the tie against Magesi sitting third in the league table behind Kaizer Chiefs and log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Meanwhile, Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made three changes to the starting line-up that faced Sekhukhune, bringing in Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, and Yanela Mbuthuma in place of Patrick Maswanganyi, Evidence Makgopa, and Kamogelo Sebelebele.
MOFOKENG AND MBUTHUMA ON THE SCORE SHEET FOR PIRATES
The Soweto giants made an impressive start to the match in front of their home fans, searching for an early goal. Pirates opened the scoring in the ninth minute through Mbuthuma, who received a perfect pass from Mofokeng.
Abdeslam Ouaddou and his technical team made a substitute in the second stanza after bringing in Kamogelo Sebelebele to take Deano Van Rooyen’s place.
In the 41st minute, Mofokeng doubled the lead for Pirates with a great finish outside the penalty box to beat Magesi goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze. The Sea Robbers went into the half-time break with a comfortable two-goal lead.
Meanwhile, Andre De Jong, who signed with Orlando Pirates in the January transfer window, made his debut after coming on as a substitute in the last 25 minutes of the match for Mbuthuma.
Pirates held on to their lead to claim an important 2-0 victory over Magesi, making another interesting turn in the heated Betway Premiership title race.
In other results, Polokwane City were held to a 2-2 draw by visiting Orbit College at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. Chippa United secured a 2-0 victory over Durban City, while AmaZulu beat Marumo Gallants 1-0 in Bloemfontein. On Friday, Richards Bay and Golden Arrows played a 2-2 draw.
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