CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 08: Patrick Maswanganyi of Orlando Pirates and Miguel Timm of Orlando Pirates challenge for possession during the Betway Premiership match between Cape Town City FC and Orlando Pirates at DHL Cape Town Stadium on January 08, 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Shaun Roy/Gallo Images)
Orlando Pirates missed the chance to move top of the Betway Premiership table after losing 1-0 to Cape Town City on Wednesday evening.
Betway Premiership
Result: Cape Town City 1-0 Orlando Pirates
Date: 08 January 2025
Venue: DHL Stadium
Buccaneers coach Jose Riveiro made one change from Saturday’s win in the CAF Champions League, as Thalente Mbatha came into the midfield for the suspended Makhehlene Makhaula.
Muhsin Erturgal made a few changes to the Citizens line-up after the win over Kaizer Chiefs, with Haashim Domingo, Kamohelo Mokotjo and Jody Ah Shene were brought back into the side.
Carrying on from the weekend, the visitors dominated from the first kick, as Mofokeng looked to cause trouble down the left flank while Dlamini nearly marked his return to the side with a goal until his was denied by the crossbar on 13 minutes.
The Citizens, meanwhile, were happy to sit back and frustrate their Soweto counterparts, who found it tough to attack down the middle and were forced to threaten down the respective flanks.
Unfortunately, that proved to be the trend for the remainder of the first half until City nearly snatched the lead before the break, but Chaine showed great reactions to deny Darwin Gonzalez from point-blank range.
Follow the action between City & Pirates LIVE
It was more of the same as the second period begun, but City nearly caught Pirates out five minutes when Ah Shene was slipped through on goal, however the striker sent his effort wide of the target with only Chaine to beat.
Riveiro eventually opted to make a double change for the visitors on the hour mark as Boitumelo Radiopane and Thabiso Monyane replaced Tshegofatso Mabasa and Deano van Rooyen for the final 30 minutes.
Pirates were afforded the chance to break the deadlock on 70 minutes after being awarded a penalty for Nyama’s foul on Patrick Maswanganyi, who stepped up to take the penalty but ended up hitting the post before Darren Keet gathered.
The visitors were made to rue that miss as City took the lead three minutes later when Darwin Gonzalez made it two goals in two games with a deflected strike from the edge of the box.
The Buccaneers threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, but City remained resolute defensively to secure back-to-back wins in the league.
Here’s how they lined up
Cape Town City: 16. Keet, 2. Mkhize, 25. Gordinho, 14. Fasika, 11. Nyama, 12. Mokotjo, 4. Petrus, 21. Tjiueza, 10. Domingo, 20. Gonzalez, 54. Ah Shene.
Subs: 47. Diana-Oliaro, 9. Soukouna, 19. Ziba, 22. Fisher, 23. Rhodes, 26. Nodada, 53. April, 55. Amato, 58. Dondolo
Orlando Pirates: 34. Chaine, 36. Sesane, 5. Sibisi, 3. Van Rooyen, 7. Hotto, 16. Mbatha, 18. Dlamini, 28. Maswanganyi, 33. Nkota, 38. Mofokeng, 17. Mabasa.
Subs: 35. Buthelezi, 42. Radiopane, 32. Moleleki, 31. Rasebotja, 29. Mako, 27. Xoki, 21. Tshobeni, 17. Makgopa, 2. Monyane
.