Orlando Pirates secured a second successive win in the Betway Premiership after defeating Orbit College 1-0 on Tuesday night.
Betway Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 1-0 Orbit College
Date: 25 August 2025
Venue: Orlando Stadium
The Buccaneers were without the services of Relebohile Mofokeng, as Abdoulaye Mariko got a start in midfield while Tshegofatso Mabasa made his first start of the season upfront ahead of Evidence Makgopa, who dropped to the bench.
Orbit, meanwhile, were without the services of Monnapule Saleng and Yanga Madiba, who were unable to feature against their parent clubs due to the loan agreements.
The hosts made a lively start to the encounter by dominating the possession, although Orbit, who had four top-flight debutants in the team, showed no signs of backing down as they made a couple forays into the opposition half inside the opening 20 minutes.
That proved to be the trend for the remainder of the first half for the Buccaneers, who found it tough to breakdown the Orbit defence, who managed to thwart every ball into the 18-yard area as goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane barley had a save to make.
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Orbit nearly snatched the lead just before the break after Siyabulela Mabela intercepted a bad pass from Sipho Chaine outside the box, however the Pirates goalkeeper managed to get back in time to make the vital save.
The Buccaneers responded with a triple change at the start of the second half as Nkosikhona Ndaba, Thalente Mbatha and Sipho Mbule replaced Deon Hotto, Sihle Nduli and Mariko to freshen up the attacking stall.
After a renewed approach in the second half, Pirates broke the deadlock ten minutes in when defender Lebone Seema opened his account for the club with a superb volley from 20 yards out, leaving Moerane with no chance.
Mabasa, who had a quiet evening, went close to opening his account for the season on 73 minutes as he was denied by Moerane in the box before Kamogelo Sebelebele was thwarted on the goal-bound seconds later.
That proved to be the final opening of the game for either side, as the Soweto giants claim their second win of the league campaign.
Here’s how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: 34. Chaine, 33. Seema, 44. Mbokazi, 26. Shandu, 7. Hotto, 30. Nduli, 32. Mariko, 28. Maswanganyi, 36. Sebelebele, 12. Appollis, 19. Mabasa
Subs: 35. Buthelezi, 46. Dansin, 29. Kwayiba, 27. Xoki, 23. Mbule, 17. Makgopa, 16. Mbatha, 11. Moremi, 3. Ndaba
Orbit College: 16. Moerane, 26. Setllhodi, 29. Jingana, 4. Mokgosi, 23. Nhlapo, 12. Batsi, 45. Ramosala, 15. Thidebi, 25. Mabale, 9. Modimoeng, 31. Malatsi
Subs: 1. Nkomo, 7. Khoto, 20. Matsemela, 21. Mkhabela, 30. Ngiba, 27. Lukhele, 33. Letlhake, 24. Motswakhumo
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