Sekhukhune United have gone unbeaten against Orlando Pirates in the 2025-26 Betway Premiership after the two sides played out a goalless draw at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday.
The Polokwane-based side defeated Pirates 1-0 in Orlando in the season’s opening round, and avoided defeat in their second meeting of the season.
Having claimed one point, the Buccaneers pulled level with reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the table, although they still have a game in hand.
After falling to Stellenbosch on Tuesday, Babina Noko remain in fourth place, one point off Kaizer Chiefs with 26 points.
Pirates made five changes to its starting lineup from the Carling Knockout cup final, with Deano van Rooyen, Patrick Maswanganyi, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Nkosinathi Sibisi and Tshepang Moremi slotting in.
Goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner impressed in his seventh start of the season for Sekhukhune, while Lehlohonolo Mojela started, making his debut for Babina Noko after signing from Stellenbosch.
PIRATES ON THE HUNT
Pirates began searching for scoring chances early. Thalente Mbatha cut the ball back from the byline to Kamogelo Sebelebele on the edge of the area. His right-footed shot from outside the box in the 6th minute was too high.
In the 17th minute, Lebone Seema’s ball across the face of the goal was cleared only as far as Sebelebele. Moremi whipped the ball in with a dangerous cross, forcing Leaner off his line to punch the ball away.
Keletso Makgalwa was brought onto the park to replace Ngoanamello Rammala in the 32nd minute as the winger was forced off due to injury after a challenge with Evidence Makgopa at the edge of the area
The hosts claimed Bradley Grobler was caught from behind and brought down by Makhaula in the box, but the referee was not entertaining Sekhukhune’s protests in the 39th minute.
The visitors nearly took the lead in the 42nd minute. Pirates took a corner short to Sebelebele in acres of space, who dribbled towards the goal and found Makhaula inside the six-yard box. The midfielder should have put the Buccaneers in front, but was denied from close range by a brilliant save from Leaner.
In the 60th minute, Makgalwa’s free-kick attempt from the edge of the area struck Mbatha’s head, and his follow-up looking for the top right corner was saved by Sipho Chaine.
Substitute Abdoulaye Mariko tried his luck from distance in the 74th minute, but he did not strike his effort with the power necessary to trouble Leaner.
In the 80th minute, Leaner leapt off his line to deny Oswin Appolis, with the substitute going to ground in the process. Pirates believed they deserved a penalty, but the referee did not share their sentiment.
Grobler missed a chase to hand the hosts a late victory and bag an early 38th birthday present from Makgalwa’s free-kick. The striker found himself wide open, but could not make contact with the ball.
Leaner continued his stellar performance until the final whistle, denying Sebelebele from short range on the winger’s second shot attempt in the 91st minute.
The Buccaneers pushed hard to find a winner in the dying stages but could not turn chances into goals.
Sekhukhune are next in action on Tuesday, returning to the Peter Mokaba Stadium to face Sundowns in another top-four clash.
Pirates will welcome Magesi to Orlando Stadium next Saturday as they look to pull ahead at the top of the standings.
Sekhukhune United 0
Orlando Pirates 0
SEKHUKHUNE UNITED: R. Leaner, V. Letlapa, D. Cardoso, B. Ndlovu, S. Mogaila (T. Matsimbi 46’), S, Mkhize, T. Monare (L. Phiri 75’), V. Mncube (T. Yamba 84’), L. Mojela (T. Mokoane 46’), N. Rammala (K. Makgalwa 32’), B. Grobler.
ORLANDO PIRATES: S. Chaine, N. Ndaba, N. Sibisi, L. Seema, D. van Rooyen (R. Mofokeng 62’), M. Makhaula, T. Mbatha (A. Mariko 73’), T. Moremi (D. Hotto 81’), P. Maswanganyi (O. Appolis 62’), K. Sebelebele, E. Makgopa (Y. Mbuthuma 73’).