Orlando Pirates moved closer to the top of the Betway Premiership pile this week owing to a 2-0 victory over Stellenbosch FC at the Athlone Stadium on Tuesday night.
Led by goals from Evidence Makgopa and Patrick Maswanganyi, the Buccaneers moved within two points of log leaders Sundowns with three games left to play in what is shaping up to be an exciting end to the 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign.
Pirates keep the pressure on Masandawana ☠️🔥#SSDiski | #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/cBTYW8vbFT
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 5, 2026
The game commenced with Pirates showcasing their attacking intent early on, with Relebohile Mofokeng acting as the chief creator for his side during the first 10 minutes.
With Stellenbosch causing little damage going forward, the Soweto giants swiftly asserted control of the ball.
It was much of the same for Pirates midway through the first half, while Thalente Mbatha and Makhehlene Makhaula produced shots from range in an attempt to give the Soweto giants the lead.
The Sea Robbers managed to take the lead in the 42nd minute as their pressure paid off via a set piece situation shortly before the break.
With Patrick Maswanganyi standing over the dead ball outside the area, Evidence Makgopa showcased his striker’s instincts and met the attacker’s cross with a well taken header from the middle of the goal.
Pirates then doubled their lead moments before the break, as Maswanganyi went from provider to scorer in the 47th minute.
Following an attempt to find Makgopa with a cross once more, the ball bypassed the leaping Bucs striker; Sage Stephens challenged him in the air, and both players watched it bounce into the net.
Stellenbosch came close to getting on the scoresheet soon after the restart when Wonderboy Makhubu’s right-footed shot from close range was blocked after latching onto a cross from Enyinnaya Godswill at the edge of the area.
While the Cape Winelands side battled to progress the ball up field, Pirates continued to dominate possession statistics and created a couple of scoring opportunities in the process.
Not resting on their laurels, Stellenbosch once again came close to scoring in the 77th minute after Genino Palace struck the woodwork with a shot from close range as the Soweto giants were momentarily let off the hook.
However, Pirates kicked into game management mode during the final 10 minutes of the match with Stellenbosch having no answer going forward.
The Soweto club thus held on to secure their 19th win of the season and subsequently kept their league title hopes alive with a win on away soil.
Sipho Chaine etches his name into PSL history ☠️📚
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 5, 2026
He matches Ronza and sets a new club record with the Bucs 🔥#SSDiski | #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/SbH2DqTmZ1
Stellenbosch FC: 0
Orlando Pirates: (2) 2 (Makgopa 41’, Maswanganyi 47’)
STELLENBOSCH FC: Stephens, Mdaka, Lebusa (Stanic 82’), Ndah, Godswill, Titus, Palace, Mthiyane, Langelihle, Titus (Abrahams 81’), Palace, Mthiyane (Andries 46’), Langelihle (Cupido 46’), Butsaka, Mokobodi (Makhabu 31’)
ORLANDO PIRATES: Chaine, Sebelebele, Seema, Sibisi, Ndaba, Mbatha (Dansin 88’), Makhaula, Maswanganyi (Nemtajela 68’, De Jong 76’), Mofokeng (Hotto 87’), Appollis, Makgopa (Mbuthuma 69’)