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Titus strike ends Pirates' perfect start to the season

hockey01 December 2024 16:06| © Backpage TXT
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Orlando Pirates suffered their first defeat of the Betway Premiership season after they went down 1-0 to Stellenbosch at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday, 1 December.

Jose Riveiro's side carved out numerous openings, but the closest they came was when Kabelo Dlamini crashed a shot against the woodwork in the second half after Devin Titus had given the Maroons the lead on 33 minutes.

The Buccaneers were unable to reclaim top spot from Mamelodi Sundowns, who climbed to the summit on goal difference with their 3-0 victory over Sekhukhune United on Saturday. Stellies moved up to third place, one point clear of Chippa United (4th).

Pirates were looking to maintain their 100 per cent record in the league after they beat Richards Bay 1-0 last time out to make it seven wins from seven, while Stellies hoped to build on a six-match unbeaten run, having drawn 1-1 with TS Galaxy most recently.

The hosts made a bright start and Evidence Makgopa skewed an effort wide from Thalente Mbatha's square pass on five minutes before Deon Hotto tested Sage Stephens from inside the box three minutes later.

Mbatha then tried his luck from distance on 21 minutes, but a deflection took the sting out of his shot and Stephens made a comfortable save.

The Sea Robbers continued to create chances as Relebohile Mofokeng curled the ball inches wide of the far post on 28 minutes following good link-up play with Maswanganyi and Stephens was required to save Mohau Nkota's attempt in the 32nd minute.

However, the visitors hit the front moments later on the counter when Ashley Cupido released Titus with an exquisite ball over the top and the winger advanced into the area before tucking his shot into the bottom right corner of the net.

Maswanganyi had two opportunities to equalise in the first-half stoppage time, but he fired just wide of the target from range before clearing the crossbar by some distance from an indirect free-kick.

Sipho Chaine was finally called into action six minutes after the restart as Chumani Butsaka lined up an ambitious strike from long range that was easily dealt with by the Pirates goalkeeper.

The Soweto giants kept pushing for an equaliser, with Mbatha only managing to find the side-netting from an angle on 63 minutes while Kabelo Dlamini came even closer when he struck the bar two minutes later after being teed up by Maswanganyi.

An exciting finish to the game saw Khomotjo Lekoloane draw a good save out of Chaine from a tight angle on 87 minutes before Nkosinathi Sibisi missed a glorious chance to level matters at the death when he failed to beat Stephens from close range.

Orlando Pirates (0) 0

Stellenbosch (1) 1 (Titus 33')

Orlando Pirates: S. Chaine, T. Monyane (D. van Rooyen 68'), T. Sesane, N. Sibisi, D. Hotto, T. Mbatha, M. Makhaula (K. Dlamini 46'), M. Nkota, P. Maswanganyi, R. Mofokeng, E. Makgopa (T. Mabasa 68').

Stellenbosch: S. Stephens, T. Moloisane, I. Toure, A. Mcaba, O. Mdaka, D. Titus (K. Jurgens 71'), S. Nduli, G. Palace (I. Jabaar 71'), C. Butsaka (S. Barns 70'), A. Cupido (L. Phili 79'), A. de Jong (K. Lekoloane 79').

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