Orlando Pirates Keep Their Title Hopes Alive After Beating Sundowns

Orlando Pirates Keep Their Title Hopes Alive After Beating Sundowns

  • Soweto giants Orlando Pirates kept the pressure on Mamelodi Sundowns after beating the PSL champions 2-1 on Sunday, 16 March 2025
  • Relebohile Mofokeng scored twice in a minute to earn Pirates a well-deserved three points at the FNB Stadium
  • Pirates fans reacted on social media to praise their team as they celebrated a victory over the PSL log leaders

PSL giants Orlando Pirates kept their slim hopes of winning the PSL alive after beating log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 on Sunday, 16 March 2025.

Winger Relebohile Mofokeng scored twice in a minute to earn the victory for Pirates, while Khuliso Mudau scored for the defending champions.

Orlando Pirates fans celebrated their victory over Mamelodi Sundowns.
Orlando Pirates fans were jubilant after beating Mamelodi Sundowns. Image: orlandopirates.
Source: Twitter

Pirates started the match like a house on fire and were rewarded in the fourth minute after Mofokong tapped in from an Evidence Makgopa pass.

Orlando Pirates took the match to Mamelodi Sundowns

Pirates confirmed their victory on Twitter (X):

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Mofokeng was on hand to score after a flowing move by the Soweto giants that caught Sundowns by surprise as the Bucs fans celebrated in the fourth minute at the FNB Stadium.

The Pirates fans were soon celebrating again after Pirates pounced on some bad defending for Mofokeng to add a second less than minute later.

Mofokeng's cool finish showed why the player is admired by clubs overseas as Pirates closed the gap on the side that looked like they were walking to another PSL title.

Bafana coach Hugo Broos decided to drop Makgopa from his squad but the striker showed his abilities as he kept Sundowns on their toes.

Pirates confirmed Mofokeng's goal on Twitter (X):

Jose Riveiro is not giving up on the PSL title

Pirates coach Jose Riveiro would have been pleased by his side's performance as the Spaniard guided his side to victory.

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Question remain over Riveiro's future at Pirates and his side are now 15 points behind the log leaders although they have four points

Sundowns showed signs of a fightback when defender Khuliso Mudau scored in the 66th minute to pull one goal back.

Despite the late goal, Sundowns failed to find an equaliser as coach Miguel Cardoso saw his 18-point lead atop of the log slip.

Jose Riveiro engineered a victory over Mamelodi Sundowns after goals from Relebohile Mofokeng.
Orlando Pirates closed the gap between themselves and Mamelodi Sundowns to 15 points much to the delight of coach Jose Riveiro and scorer Relebohile Mofokeng. Image: orlandopirates.
Source: Twitter

Pirates fans celebrate on social media

Bucs fans celebrated the victory on social media, saying they were proud of their team for not throwing in the towel.

MzuraVanie was surprised:

"I can't believe this."

Remiazania2 praised Mofokeng:

"Rele Mofokeng understands the assignment. We must avoid conceding any goal. Sundowns has to taste its own medicine. We love it for Orlando Pirates. Up the Bucs!"

Buhleh12346 is grateful:

"I'm literally crying, whaaaaaaaaaat. Thank you guys."

Tintswalo777 was happy:

"What a gift to our team!"

Read also

Mamelodi Sundowns Coach Miguel Cardoso Challenges Star to Prove His Quality

Mahlako_1 admires Mofokeng:

"Last born."

Miguel Cardoso wants more from Mamelodi Sundowns star

As reported by Briefly News, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso wants Neo Maema to prove himself worthy of playing for the club.

Maema has been on the outskirts of the Sundowns team and has reportedly been placed on the list of players set to leave the PSL champions.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Junior Bester avatar

Junior Bester (Sports Editor) Junior Bester is the current Entertainment (Sports) Writer at Briefly News. He achieved a ND:Journalism at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 2012. He worked for Independent Newspapers from 2011 till 2022 covering news, sport, business and entertainment for titles such as Weekend Argus, Cape Argus, Daily Voice and Northern News. Junior passed a set of trainings by Google News Initiative. He joined Briefly News in 2024. You can reach him at junior.bester@briefly.co.za