Orlando Pirates recorded a second successive win in the Betway Premiership when they edged out Magesi FC 1-0 at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
However, the Buccaneers remained second in the league standings, but they are now three points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, and the Bucs also have a game in hand.
Jose Riveiro's side will now turn their attention to 4 January's Caf Champions League clash against Stade d'Abidjan in Soweto.
Orlando Pirates complete their revenge on Magesi and sit in 2nd place ahead of the new year🤝🔝#BetwayPrem | #SSDiski pic.twitter.com/kQfLFCVYc7
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 29, 2024
Dikwena Tsa Meetse, on the other hand, remained 16th in the standings after registering their sixth league defeat of the season. The Limpopo-based outfit will be hoping to snap their six-match winless run in the Betway Premiership when they take on TS Galaxy in Mbombela on 4 January.
The Buccaneers exerted pressure on Dikwena Tsa Meetse from the first minute, with goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze forced to make great saves to deny Kabelo Dlamini and Makhehlene Makhaula. Magesi were reduced to 10 players in the 39th minute after Lehlogonolo Mokone was sent off for fouling Mohau Nkota.
It's a straight red for Lehlegonolo Mokone 👀🔴@Betway_za pic.twitter.com/bEN61jJa3J
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 29, 2024
The visitors were able to take advantage of the numerical superiority over the hosts as Relebohile Mofokeng netted with a wonderful curling strike to hand Pirates a 1-0 lead in the last minute of first-half regulation time after dribbling past Tshepo Kakora, much to the delight of the Bucs fans inside the stadium.
However, Magesi were awarded a penalty after Makhaula was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, but Wonderboy Makhubu fired wide of the target from the spot-kick and the score was 1-0 to Pirates at the interval following an eventful first half in Polokwane.
It was a lively second half as both keepers were called into action. Dlamini's curling free-kick was pushed away by Chipezeze in the 69th minute and at the other end, Tholang Masegela forced keeper Sipho Chaine into making a smart diving save with 19 minutes left on the clock.
The Buccaneers were determined to grab their second goal to kill off the match. However, Chipezeze was in his element as the Zimbabwean shot-stopper pulled off good saves to deny Dlamini, Patrick Maswanganyi and Gilberto, and ultimately, the match ended in a 1-0 victory in favour of Pirates.
Magesi: (0) 0
Pirates: (1) 1 (Mofokeng 45')
Magesi: Chipezeze, Mashigo, Makgoga, Mokone, Rademeyer, Darpoh, Masegela (Matsemela 87'), Baloyi (Seroto 79'), Kakora, Mokone, Makhubu (Motupa 87').
Pirates: Chaine, Sibisi, Sesane, Mako, van Rooyen (Monyane 78'), Mbatha, Makhaula (Maswanganyi 46'), Dlamini, Nkota (Gilberto 73'), Mofokeng, Makgopa (Radiopane 46').