Orlando Pirates ensured their Betway Premiership fate remained firmly in their own hands after beating Magesi 3-0 at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday night, handling the pressure that Mamelodi Sundowns had applied earlier in the day.
Pirates are second on the log with 65 points, three behind Sundowns, who have played one game more, but trail on an inferior seven-goal difference. As such, if Pirates win their final two matches of the season, against Durban City next Saturday and Orbit College on May 23, they are all but guaranteed the league title for the first time in 14 years.
Pirates Dominant Performance
The Buccaneers were further pleased with the victory as Sipho Chaine wrote his name into the history books, becoming the first goalkeeper in the PSL era to keep 19 clean sheets in a single league season. According to the Premier Soccer League rules, a team must win the league title by having the most points at the end of the season.
Sundowns are not surrendering their ninth successive title without a fight. Earlier in the day, they thrashed Siwelele 7-4 in their penultimate league fixture before preparing to face TS Galaxy in Mbombela on Tuesday night.
Key Statistics
Here are the key statistics from the match:
- Pirates scored three goals, with Patrick Maswanganyi, Kabelo Sebelebele, and Oswin Appollis on the scoresheet.
- Masesi had eight changes to their starting lineup, including a new goalkeeper, Mbali Tshabalala.
- Pirates have 65 points, three behind Sundowns, who have played one game more.
Despite heading into the match on the back of Sundowns’ emphatic victory, Pirates knew their destiny remained in their own hands. They showed exactly that here, scoring twice in the opening 30 minutes before comfortably sealing a 3-0 win.
