Pirates’ Betway Premiership Title Hopes Dented After Losing to Marumo Gallants

• Orlando Pirates have missed out on the chance to close the point gap between them and Mamelodi Sundowns after losing to Marumo Gallants
• The Sea Robbers where punished by goals from their former player and an own goal in the second half
• The Soweto giants remain 18-points behind the Brazilians on the Premier Soccer League table, but they still have four outstanding matches

Orlando Pirates have failed to keep the pressure on Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership as they stumbled to a 2-0 defeat against Marumo Gallants at the Free State Stadium this weekend.

The Sea Robbers started the match knowing fully well that the Brazilians secured all three points against their city rivals, Kaizer Chiefs, but they failed to reduce the point gap.

Goals from Pirates' former winger Gabadinho Mhango and an own goal from Thalente Mbatha condemned the Buccaneers to a 2-0 loss as Gallants secured all three points.

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Pirates' title hopes dented by Marumo Gallants

Orlando Pirates were the better side in the opening minutes of the match, with Relebohile Mofokeng failing to hit the target after trying to chip the goalkeeper in the fourth minute.

In the ninth minute, Washington Arubi made a good save after Bandile Shandu was close to giving the visitors the lead.

Despite Pirates showing glimpses of scoring the first goal of the match, the host took the lead in the 15th minute after Gabadinho Mhango found the back of the net from close range.

The Gallants made a goalkeeper change two minutes before the goal, with Kagiso Mlambo replacing Arubi. He was called into action in the 21st minute after Mbatha sought to find Mofokeng, but the host goalkeeper beat the South African youngster to the ball.

Tshegofatso Mabasa also came close to levelling the scoreline ten minutes before the halftime whistle, but the Bafana Bafana striker's header sailed wide.

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Junior Zindoga came close to extending the Gallants' lead, but Sipho Chained made a crucial save to keep Pirates in the game.

The Bucs struggled to find their rhythm as the centre referee blew the half-time whistle after eight minutes of additional time was played.

Mlambo pulled off a great save five minutes after the restart as some neat interplay from the Bucs led to a shot for Mofokeng.

The host should've been two goals up in the 54th minute after Daniel Msendami was through on goal, but Chaine made an excellent save in a one-on-one situation.

Despite a lot of pressure from the Soweto giants on Gallants, it was the host that extended their lead after Mbatha deflected the ball into his own net in the 75th minute.

All Pirates' effort to get into the game was thwarted by the host defence and they got their deserved revenge against Jose Riveiro's men after losing the first leg 8-1.

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Nomvethe Backs Mofokeng’s European Move

Briefly News earlier reported that Bafana Bafana legend Siyabonga Nomvethe has backed Mofokeng over a potential move to Europe.

The South African football legend believes the Orlando Pirates star has all it takes to play at the highest levels of European football.

Source: Briefly News