Orlando Pirates keep Premiership hopes alive with gritty win Over Golden Arrows

Orlando Pirates kept their slim chances of winning the Betway Premiership alive after beating Golden Arrows at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday night. This victory means the second-placed Pirates are now nine points behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played one game more.

Coach José Riveiro had previously stressed that there was no room for error as they aim to push Sundowns until the final match of the season. His players responded to the call, grinding out a much-needed result despite a lacklustre first-half performance.

Goals from Patrick Maswanganyi and Tshegofatso Mabasa provided a morale boost ahead of Saturday’s Nedbank Cup final against Kaizer Chiefs at the same venue. Pirates need to win that match to claim the cup for a third consecutive year and secure their second trophy of the season—especially if they miss out on the league title.

The Sea Robbers beat Chiefs in their league match on Saturday, which will give them added confidence going into the Soweto Derby. With one eye on the upcoming final, Riveiro made seven changes to his starting line-up, handing a full debut to Yanga Madiba, who struggled in the early stages.

Arrows looked confident in possession and repeatedly targeted Madiba’s flank, making several promising inroads. The change in goalkeeping saw Melusi Buthelezi start ahead of regular No. 1 Sipho Chaine, who was not in the squad. Buthelezi struggled to organise his defence during set-pieces, and Arrows had several opportunities to score.

Nhlanhla Zwane had a free header early on but missed the target following a corner. Buthelezi then spilled a ball outside the box, and after Velemseni Ndwandwe passed him the loose ball, Zwane once again failed to convert the chance. These missed opportunities will have surely frustrated Arrows’ coach, Manqoba Mngqithi, especially as Pirates grew into the game.

Pirates began to threaten through Karim Kimvuidi and Boitumelo Radiopane, though their efforts were thwarted by goalkeeper Edward Maova. Arrows finished the half stronger, nearly breaking the deadlock through Siphesihle Msomi, who shot wide.

Riveiro’s half-time team talk appeared to work wonders, as Pirates came out flying in the second half, pressing for a breakthrough. Their persistence paid off when Kabelo Dlamini played in Maswanganyi, who rounded Maova and slotted the ball into an empty net.

The lead was short-lived, however, as Arrows equalised through Siyanda Mthanti, who finished from close range after a well-placed cross by Ndwandwe.

Riveiro responded with a raft of second-half substitutions, including the introduction of out-of-favour striker Mabasa, who had been enduring a goal drought. Mabasa silenced his critics by scoring the winning goal—rifling the ball into the roof of the net after a flick-on from Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who had pushed forward for a set-piece.

The win ensures that Pirates' hopes of dethroning Sundowns remain mathematically possible. They have a game in hand, which they will play after Saturday’s highly anticipated Soweto Derby.

Scorers

GOLDEN ARROWS (0) 1

Mthanti 59’

ORLANDO PIRATES (0) 2

Maswanganyi 51’, Mabasa 72’