Orlando Pirates supporters will be pleased that their beloved team are showing their grit in some tough encounters. Picture: Timothy Bernard, Independent Newspapers.
ORLANDO PIRATES (0) 2
Mabasa 67’, Mosele 87’
CAPE TOWN CITY (1) 1
Domingo 20’
Mihlali Baleka
Orlando Pirates’ Tshegofatso Mabasa kept the team’s chances of adding a “value-added-title” to their trophy cabinet alive yet again!
Mabasa's brilliance up front was not cancelled as he scored and assisted a goal as Pirates beat Cape Town City 2-1 in Orlando on Saturday.
This result ensured they kept the pressure on log leaders and the ruling party Mamelodi Sundowns as they went into the match 12 points behind and with three games in hand.
It was the sort of result that proved that they were mic’d up for the title and would allow no commissioner to stand between them and fight until the end.
It was also a good way for the Sea Robbers to end the month of love on a high as they continue to endear themselves to the Ghost who are backing the team with every passing game.
Business As Usual 🙇♂️
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) February 22, 2025
⚫⚪🔴⭐ #OrlandoPirates #OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/XjEF6Rr0B0
A terrible day for City
It was, however, another terrible day in the house for City who’ve now gone six games, across all competitions, without a win.
The Citizens are on their knees and begging for a new messiah as Muhsin Ertugral seems to be out of sorts since his dominant start, which included beating Pirates in January at home.
Meanwhile, it is often said that adversity is the breakfast of champions. And so, as matches continue to come thick and fast, Pirates are starting to show they can control their fate.
But as usual they struggled to crack the whip on the opposition here from the outset due to their blunt spear as they controlled the opposition.
Against the run of play
As such, City took the game to them and made use of their slim chances as Haashim Domingo unmasked Pirates defence to ensure the visitors sailed into the break with the lead.
That goal which came in the 19th minute was not a true reflection of how this game had started as Pirates had controlled their house with aplomb.
Patrick Maswanganyi, Tshegofatso Mabasa, and Relebohile Mofokeng looked like they’d continue to deliver keynote addresses here like they did last Saturday.
The trio put up a strong debate against Baroka after Mamelodi Sundowns’ state of the nation as they combined for arguably the build-up of the season enroute to the Nedbank Cup quarter-final.
But for all the impressive start which kept the Ghost on their feet – through songs, and chants – there was still no final product: the service delivery.
They nearly got help from the opposition as Nathan Fasika directed a clearance towards his own net, but Darren Keet was on hand to tip the ball over his crossbar.
The month of love has shown that everyone needs their own Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. And Relebohile Mofokeng just continued to be the team’s ‘Dr Bae’ here.
The 20-year-old kept City’s defence on its toes in the first half, cutting through the left hand side like hot knife through butter, but he couldn’t lull his passes into the net.
The opposition, coached by a former commander of this Pirates’ ship Mushin Ertugral, pounced first when Domingo rattled Prins Tjiueza’s cross in goalkeeper Sipho Chaine’s near post.
Ghost stunned
That stunned the Ghost, while Ertugral celebrated and looked up to the dark skies which threatened to open following a surprisingly sunny day in Johannesburg.
Trump cards seem to not matter nowadays. And Jose Riveiro will attest to that as Bandile Shandu was ineffective after being played out of position.
Mofokeng put up a good debate in search of the equaliser, drilling a hard and slow shot before the break but Keet made another blinding save to keep the opposition ahead.
Riveiro made a handful of substitutions in the second half, including Goodman Mosele replacing Makhehleni Makhaula for his first appearance after coming back from loan with Chippa.
Jeers to cheers
That cameo substitution wasn’t well received by the Ghosts as they jeered. But boy, it would pay dividends in the end, proving to be worth every penny: three points.
Mosele marked his return by bundling the ball over the line after his initial shot came off the crossbar following a headed pass into the dangerzone by Tshegofatso Mabasa.
Mabasa was Pirates’ main man here – as always. He started the comeback when he side footed home a delightful cross from substitute Mohau Nkota.
That goal ensured he has 45 goals for the club and is 11 goals behind the club’s all-time top goal scorer Benedict “Tso” Vilakazi. A feat he can still match in the remaining games this season.
Mabasa, who scored his 11th goal of the season, continued to be the minister of goals for his side as he sets his sights on being the difference between winning the title!
Related Topics: