Orlando Pirates Beat Polokwane City, Move Ahead of Chiefs

Orlando Pirates move above arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs in Betway Premiership

Orlando Pirates secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Polokwane City at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night, propelling them into third place on the Betway Premiership table.

Despite missing several opportunities, notably through Evidence Makgopa and substitute Yanela Mbuthuma in the latter stages, the Buccaneers managed to clinch all three points.

Makgopa nearly opened the scoring early on, hitting the post with a curling shot.

The win elevates the Pirates to 18 points after eight matches, trailing league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by three points, with two games still in hand. They also sit two points behind second-placed Sekhukhune United, who have played one more game.

Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made several changes to the starting lineup in preparation for their upcoming CAF Champions League clash against St. Éloi Lupopo, where they will aim to reverse a 3-0 deficit from the first leg.

Pirates started the match brightly and took the lead in the sixth minute through Tshepang Moremi, who capitalized on a rebound from Brian Bwire to slot home from close range.

Moremi was close to adding another goal when Patrick Maswanganyi sent a clever cross to him; however, he was unable to make solid contact. Maswanganyi also attempted a long-range shot that just missed the target.

Polokwane City almost equalized when Bonginkosi Dlamini dispossessed Lebone Seema, but Sipho Chaine made an impressive save to keep the lead.

Makgopa, fresh off scoring in Bafana Bafana's 3-0 victory over Rwanda which secured their spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was close again just before the hour mark, hitting the post again with a header.

Pirates maintained pressure with a passing exchange involving Oswin Appollis, Makgopa, and Moremi, though the latter's shot was comfortably saved by Bwire.

In the closing moments of the match, substitutes Mbuthuma and Kabelo Dlamini linked up well, but Mbuthuma failed to connect properly with his shot, missing an opportunity to seal the win.

This victory represents Pirates' second win over Polokwane City this season, having defeated the Limpopo side 2-0 in the MTN8 quarterfinals earlier at the same venue, ultimately leading to their fourth consecutive trophy lift.