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Pirates bust slump while Stellies’ struggles continue in Betway Prem

football20 August 2025 19:40| © Backpage TXT
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Kamogelo Sebelebele’s first-half winner handed Orlando Pirates their first win of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign, as the Buccaneers beat Stellenbosch 1-0 at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Wednesday.

Sebelebele has now scored in back-to-back games for his new outfit, having netted late to secure a draw against Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of the MTN8 semifinal at the weekend.

Having lost both of their previous league games, Pirates recorded three points and their first clean sheet of the league season in a result that relieves head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou of some pressure.

They now sit 11th on the table.

Stellies are yet to register a win in the league, having now lost two games and drawn one.

Steve Barker’s men are 14th in Betway Premiership, above Chippa United on goal difference and Richards Bay.

Pirates’ first chance of the game nearly yielded results as Oswin Appolis hit the upright in the fourth minute.

Stellenbosch took a freekick quickly in the 14th minute which found Devon Titus, who took a touch to set up a volley, but his effort went well wide of goal.

Sebelebele broke the deadlock 15 minutes in, scoring with a thumping effort from the right edge of the area.

Goalkeeper Sage Stephens got a finger to it at full stretch but could not keep the ball out of the top left corner.

MISSED CHANCE

Nduli tried his luck with the outside of his right foot from the same spot as Sebelebele, but was denied by Stephens in the 23rd minute.

In the 27th minute, Relebohile Mofokeng slipped the ball to Sipho Mbule, who came on for the injured Deano van Rooyen, but his effort from the edge of the box was just off target.

Titus sent Lehlohonolo Mojela into the Bucs box in the 36th minute, but Sebelebele showed his strength, keeping Mojela off the ball.

The hosts were awarded a freekick at the edge of the Stellies box in the 47th minute as Henri Stanic collided with Sebelebele in the air. However, Deon Hotto’s effort ricocheted off of the wall.

In the 50th minute, Mbule showed neat footwork in the box before getting a cross off, but his pass flew over the head of Hotto at the far post.

Mbule and Mofokeng combined well in the midfield in the 52nd minute, sending the youngster forward where he unleashed a shot that narrowly rolled wide of goal.

Hotto missed a golden chance to double the hosts’ lead in the 57th minute. The left back received the ball with both time and space in the box and was one-on-one with Stephens, but scuffed his effort wide of the post.

Substitute Andre de Jong went on a brilliant solo run from midfield to the Buccaneers box in the 69th minute, but was brought down fairly before he could get a shot off.

In the 72nd minute, Langelihle Phili showed his impact off the bench as he rifled an effort at goal from the left side of the box, but was denied an equaliser by Sipho Chaine.

Pirates continued to apply pressure and narrowly missed an opportunity in the 75th minute.

Kabelo Dlamini cut through Stellies' defence with a pass finding Hotto on the baseline. His cross looking for Tshegofatso Mabasa was intercepted and headed away by Bradley Moloisane.

Despite a late push, The Maroons were unable to level proceedings and were forced to leave Soweto empty handed.

Orlando Pirates will turn their attention to the second leg of their MTN8 semifinal clash with Mamelodi Sundowns, which will take place at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Saturday.

The two sides are locked at 1-1 after the first leg.

Similarly, Stellenbosch will continue their quest for a second successive MTN8 final against Sekhukhune United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.

Stellies hold a 2-0 lead in the semifinal tie and could face the Bucs again in a repeat of last year’s final should both sides advance.

Orlando Pirates (1) 1 (Sebelebele 15’)

Stellenbosch 0

Orlando Pirates: S. Chaine, L. Seema, M. Mbokazi, D. van Rooyen (S. Mbule 20’), D. Hotto, S. Nduli, T. Mbatha (K. Dlamini 63’), R. Mofokeng, K. Sebelebele, O. Appolis (T. Moremi 81’), E. Makgopa (T. Mabasa 63’)

Stellenbosch: S. Stephens, T. Moloisane, N. Siviwe, H. Stanic, O. Mdaka, C. Butsaka (T. Khiba 60’), L. Nku (K. Lekoloane 60’), I. Jabaar (M. Khanyi 75’), L. Mojela (A. de Jong 60’), M. Mthinyani, D. Titus (L. Phili 61’)

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