Orlando Pirates’ chances of challenging for the Premiership title took a huge knock as they lost 1-0 to Sekhukhune United at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night.
The defeat meant that they now trail log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who beat Richards Bay 3-0 in a simultaneous Wednesday kick-off, by 12 points.
It was a huge blow for Pirates, as they also wanted to have a perfect dress rehearsal ahead of the back-to-back Soweto derbies against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
Pirates will face Chiefs in the league at FNB Stadium on Saturday, before the two teams face off in the Nedbank Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in seven days’ time.
Pirates have to make sure that they win both those games, as this loss was also on the back of their elimination from the CAF Champions League in the semi-finals.
The Bucs lost 3-2 on aggregate to Pyramids in Cairo last Friday, so they couldn’t afford to slip up in domestic football if they were to challenge for a treble. But it wasn’t to be.
Pirates didn’t only lose this match, but they also lost captain Nkosinathi Sibisi, who’ll miss out on both derbies after he was sent off by referee Olani Kwinda after two yellow cards.
Pirates had started on a high on Wednesday evening, taking the game to Sekhukhune in search of a breakthrough, which would give them comfort.
But it didn’t come as Sekhukhune stood their ground, repelling all the danger that came their way as they looked to catch the visitors on the break against the run of play.
Pirates, for all their efforts, were not clinical in the final third either as balls hardly got to striker Evidence Makgopa who continued to start ahead of Tshegofatso Mabasa.
The Sea Robbers failed to make inroads into Babina Noko’s box due to playing down the flanks instead of getting the ball into the danger zone.
Relebohile Mofokeng did his best to try and make Pirates tick as he was all over Sekhukhune’s defence.
But that didn’t pay any dividends for his side, while Bandile Shandu also wasted his square ball as he ballooned it into the stands with only Ronaldo Leaner to beat.
Mofokeng was indeed Pirates’ livewire in this game as he was also defending against the run of play, helping Shandu and Co.
With the lead not coming through open play, Pirates opted to use the set-piece routine, but that also didn’t pay off as Leaner tipped Kabelo Dlamini’s free-kick over the crossbar.
The Sea Robbers went into the break dominating possession, and they tried to turn that into a goal earlier in the second half. But it wasn’t to be.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi had a chance to score, but he put his effort into the stands right in front of goal when it actually looked easier to score.
Pirates were eventually punished for their wastefulness as Tresor Yamba headed home Keletso Makgalwa’s corner-kick after Sipho Chaine misjudged the ball in the air.
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro made a host of changes in the last 25 minutes of the game, including introducing Mabasa for Makgopa.
The attacking approach of Riveiro didn’t work for Pirates as Sekhukhune got behind the ball as they successfully defend their lead to trim the Bucs’ chances of winning the title.
