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It was a disappointing start to Orlando Pirates’ Betway Premiership campaign as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Sekhukhune United in a game played at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
After finishing second in the previous term, the Buccaneers were chasing their first three points of the 2025/26 season at home to a side that finished two spots below them. It was the second outing of the current campaign for both sides with the Soweto Giants looking to make it back-to-back wins at home after last weekend’s cup success, while their opponents were looking for a similar result in their second game on the road.
Pirates did not immediately have a lot to show for their dominance in possession with the visitors getting the better of the early chances. It took only three minutes for Sekhukhune to find their first attempt at goal as Katlego Letlapa shot fizzed just wide of the target.
The hosts’ best chance in the early exchanges came through a bit of fortune when Deon Hotto’s cross towards Boitumelo Radiopane was deflected straight to the Babina Noko by defender Daniel Cardoso. Forward momentum however, remained with the visitors who had another chance through veteran striker Bradley Grobler, whose effort from inside the box was well wide.
It was only after the end of the first quarter that the Buccaneers found their real shot in anger, and it came through Sipho Mbule who drew a save off Renaldo Leaner with a powerful shot from range in the 27th minute. Patrick Maswanganyi followed this up with another effort from distance, failing to trouble the Sekhukhune shot-stopper.
The best chance of the first half came on the stroke of halftime when Oswin Appollis’ diagonal ball was met by Relebohile Mofokeng. The 20-year-old cut inside from the left flank, curling a shot towards goal and placing it narrowly wide of the target.
The start of the second period yielded the breakthrough, netted by Sekhukhune midfielder Siphesihle Mhlongo who collected a rebound from an earlier shot before knocking the ball past the goal line to put his side ahead three minutes after the restart.
The Bucs wall held up well to another attempt at their goal as the visitors searched for their second through a free kick just outside the penalty area soon after.
It was one-way traffic for the remainder of the contest with Pirates looking to draw level, sending men forward in an effort to force the decisive touch. Replacement midfielder Abdoulaye Mariko had a few off-target attempts at goal, while defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi was denied by the upright after a headed effort from a set piece.
The pursuit for the equaliser continued deep into final minutes with striker Yanela Mbuthuma doing all the hard work in manoeuvring to make firm contact with a cross from Hotto, only to direct his header over the crossbar. Kabelo Dlamini had a last-gasp shot at goal, but Leaner was placed at the perfect spot to effect a comfortable save.
Such was the theme on the evening as Pirates’ best efforts at coming away with something on their season opener proved futile, with Sekhukhune eventually taking all points on offer.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Sibisi, Mbokazi, Mashiloane (Moremi 83’), Hotto, Nduli, Mbule (Mariko 57’), Maswanganyi (Dlamini 83’), Mofokeng, Appollis (Sebelebele 67’), Radiopane (Mbuthuma 57’).
SOURCED FROM THE CLUB’S WEBSITE.