Orlando Pirates are still searching for their first win of the new Betway Premiership season after they squandered an early lead to lose 2-1 to Marumo Gallants at the Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.
Abdeslam Ouaddou's side have now suffered back-to-back defeats at the start of the 2025-26 campaign following a 1-0 reverse to Sekhukhune United on Saturday.
Marumo Gallants go back-to-back against the Bucs ⚽🔥#SSDiski | #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/rL95lJFgW5
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 12, 2025
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa moved to the top of the table after they beat Richards Bay 2-1 with just 10 men on the opening weekend.
Gallants won 2-0 in the corresponding fixture last season, but the Buccaneers looked in the mood on this occasion and threatened as early as the first minute with a shot from Boitumelo Radiopane that was expertly saved by Washington Arubi.
The visitors created another chance from the resulting corner as Lebone Seema steered a header wide of the target, although the opening goal wasn't long in coming.
Captain-for-the-day Mbekezile Mbokazi found Deon Hotto with an exquisite diagonal pass and the Namibian did well to bring the ball down on his chest before squaring for the on-rushing Maswanganyi to slot home on 16 minutes.
Four touches from Pirates own half to the back of the net ☠️🔥
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 12, 2025
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Arubi was given plenty of work to do as the first half wore on, pulling off a double save on 37 minutes to deny Tshepang Moremi initially and then Oswin Appollis on the rebound, while he also kept out Tshepho Mashiloane and Radiopane in the space of two minutes.
However, the hosts hit back with their first shot on target just before halftime as Msendami beat Sipho Chaine after latching onto a pass from Bheki Mabuza.
Gallants' equaliser has got the fans off their seats 🥳🏟️
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 12, 2025
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It was all Pirates again in the second half as Alexandre Lafitte's side seemed content to settle for a point, with Evidence Makgopa almost making an immediate impact off the bench when he flashed a shot wide of the post from inside the box on 59 minutes.
Fellow substitute Sinoxolo Kwayiba also had a sniff at goal after fashioning space for a shot on 81 minutes, but Arubi was equal to the task once more.
However, the Soweto giants were dealt a sucker punch at the death as Jaisen Clifford popped up in the 92nd minute to clinch a dramatic winner against the run of play for Bahlabane Ba Ntwa.
Three points for Marumo ✅
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 12, 2025
Jaisen Clifford wins it in stoppage time ⚽💥#SSDiski | #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/ZKW3LkAnqO
Marumo Gallants (1) 2 (Msendami 45', Clifford 90+2')
Orlando Pirates (1) 1 (Maswanganyi 16')
Marumo Gallants: W. Arubi, S. Ncube, M. Sikhosana, M. Chabatsane, L. Mabotja, M. Mpambaniso, S. Sithole (D. James 87'), S. Nhlapo, D. Msendami (T. Motloung 87'), B. Mabuza (K. Sithole 76'), M. Khumalo (J. Clifford 67').
Orlando Pirates: S. Chaine, T. Mashiloane, A. Mariko (S. Kwayiba 70'), M. Mbokazi, D. Hotto, P. Maswanganyi, S. Nduli, O. Appollis (K. Sebelebele 85'), L. Seema, B. Radiopane (E. Makgopa 57'), T. Moremi (R. Mofokeng 57').