Orlando Pirates staged a remarkable second-half comeback to claim a dramatic 2-1 victory over Cape Town City in the Betway Premiership on Saturday afternoon at Orlando Stadium. The win kept the Buccaneers in close pursuit of league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns while dealing a blow to Cape Town City’s aspirations of climbing up the table.
Early Pressure and a City Surprise
The Buccaneers began the match with two key changes—Thalente Mbatha replacing Kabelo Dlamini and Bandile Shandu coming in for Paseka Mako. Notably, development graduate Mbekezeli Mbokazi was named on the bench. Pirates dominated possession early on, spreading their attacks through Relebohile Mofokeng and Patrick Maswanganyi, constantly testing City’s defensive line.
However, against the run of play, the visitors stunned the home crowd in the 21st minute. Haashim Domingo capitalized on a well-placed delivery from Prins Tjiueza, finishing clinically to give Cape Town City the lead. Pirates continued to press forward but found it difficult to break down City’s disciplined defensive setup. A Deon Hotto free-kick in the closing stages of the half bounced off the defensive wall, reflecting Pirates’ growing frustration.
Sipho Chaine, in goal for Pirates, had to be alert as Tjiueza looked to double City’s lead with a powerful shot from a promising position. Chaine reacted swiftly, diving low to palm the effort away, ensuring the Buccaneers went into halftime trailing by just one goal.
Pirates’ Inspired Second-Half Response
Pirates came out for the second half with renewed determination. Thalente Mbatha nearly leveled the score with a strong low shot from outside the box, but City goalkeeper Darren Keet was equal to the task, producing a fine save. Cape Town City, content to sit deep and absorb the pressure, continued to frustrate the hosts by denying them clear-cut chances.
Sensing the need for fresh energy, coach Jose Riveiro made key substitutions inside the final stages, introducing Mohau Nkota and Goodman Mosele. Nkota’s introduction proved to be a game-changer. The 20-year-old winger burst into the left side of the penalty area before cutting the ball back for Tshegofatso Mabasa, who made no mistake in slotting it past Keet to equalize in the 67th minute.
Pirates continued to push forward, with Phillip Ndlondlo nearly making an immediate impact with a powerful shot that Keet managed to keep out. The Buccaneers were relentless in their pursuit of a winner, launching wave after wave of attack.
Mosele’s Late Heroics Seal the Comeback
With just three minutes remaining in regulation time, Pirates finally found the decisive goal. Substitute Mosele latched onto a loose ball inside the box after his initial effort struck the crossbar, calmly slotting it home from close range to complete the turnaround.
Cape Town City made a desperate push for an equalizer, with Tjiueza managing to break past the Pirates defense but failing to convert a last-gasp opportunity. The Buccaneers held firm in the dying minutes to secure a crucial win, maintaining their momentum in the league.
A Statement Victory for the Buccaneers
Orlando Pirates’ triumph showcased their resilience and fighting spirit, bouncing back from a goal down to secure maximum points. The victory not only strengthens their position near the top of the table but also sends a strong message to their rivals in the title race. With this performance, the Buccaneers reaffirmed their status as serious contenders in the Betway Premiership.
