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Gallants deal Pirates massive blow in the title race

rugby01 March 2025 18:00| © Backpage TXT
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Marumo Gallants dealt Orlando Pirates a massive blow in the Betway Premiership title race, defeating the Soweto giants 2-0 at an atmospheric Free State Stadium on Saturday evening.

The result – secured by a classy strike from Gabadinho Mhango and an unlucky own goal – not only pushed Bahlabane Ba Ntwa out of the relegation playoff zone (they are up to 13th on the log), but also served as sweet revenge, as Pirates had dished out an 8-1 thrashing when these teams last met in December 2024.

As for the Buccaneers, this fourth league defeat of the season leaves them a massive 18 points off the pace of leaders Mamelodi Sundowns in second place.

Earlier on Saturday, Sundowns took another big step toward an eighth successive Premiership title after they edged Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium courtesy of a magnificent goal from Lucas Ribeiro.  

Pirates do have four games in hand, but even victories in all of those would still leave them six points short of their title rivals.

Gallants suffered an early injury blow when goalkeeper Washington Arubi picked up an issue with his hand and had to be replaced by Kagisho Mlambo in just the 13th minute of the match.

Yet the hosts shrugged that off and claimed the lead on the quarter hour mark.

Former Pirates forward Gabadinho Mhango superbly controlled a dropping ball from a free kick by Sekela Sithole – taking Nkosinathi Sibisi completely out of the game in his own penalty area – before stroking home a left-footed shot from close range for 1-0.

Bahlabane Ba Ntwa were close to a second goal on 39 minutes, as Daniel Msendami crossed from the right to pick out Junior Sindoga, but his close-range header was clawed out of the goal mouth by goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.

Gallants had another injury-enforced change in added time before the break, as Mpho Chabatsane replaced Lebo Mabotja, but they went into the interval still a goal to the good.

The Buccaneers started the second half strongly and should have levelled the game in the 51st minute, with a fine passing move opening up a chance for Relebohile Mofokeng, but the youngster saw his effort turned away by Mlambo.

The hosts found themselves under pressure, but still offered a threat on the counter attack – most notably on 55 minutes when Msendami raced free of the defence but failed to beat Chaine one-on-one.

Another counter attack on 74 minutes saw Bahlabane Ba Ntwa score their second, with substitute Sede Junior doing great work as an isolated striker, before bringing Masindi Nemtajela into play. He then looked for a pass inside from the left channel, but the ball was met by the recovering Thalente Mbatha, whose admirable industry was cruelly rewarded with an unfortunate own goal.

The teams will return to Premiership action next midweek, with Gallants at home to Stellenbosch FC on Tuesday 4 March, and Pirates away to Chippa United on Wednesday 5 March.

Marumo Gallants (1) 2 (Mhango 15’, Mbatha og 74’)

Orlando Pirates 0

Gallants: Arubi (Mlambo 13’), Ncube, Rikhoto, Sikhosana, Mabotja (Chabatsane 45+3’), Nemtajela, Manaka, Msendami, Sithole (Nhlapo 66’), Mhango (Dion 66’), Zindoga

Pirates: Chaine, Van Rooyen (Ndlozi 84’), Sibisi, Xoki, Sanoka (Nkota 56’), Makhaula (Mako 73’), Dlamini (Ndlondlo 84’), Mbatha, Hotto, Mofokeng, Mabasa (Makgopa 73’)

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