Pirates Drop Crucial Points In Title Race After Draw With Siwelele
Orlando Pirates dropped potentially crucial points in the Betway Premiership title race against Mamelodi Sundowns after playing to a 1-1 draw with Siwelele at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Pirates, who had returned to the top of the table on Wednesday following a win over Richards Bay, had to come from behind to salvage a point thanks to a second-half equaliser from Tshepang Moremi.
Siwelele, who were facing Pirates for the third time this season, took the lead in the first half through former Pirates winger Vincent Pule, who fired a precise effort into the far corner to beat Sipho Chaine.
Pirates were caught playing out from the back when Nkosikhona Ndaba lost possession cheaply. Tebogo Potsane capitalised on the error and set up Pule on the edge of the box in the 29th minute, with the forward calmly finishing from distance.
Pule, who enjoyed a successful spell with Pirates before leaving at the end of the 2023/24 season, chose not to celebrate against his former club out of respect.
The result leaves Pirates on 48 points after 21 matches, just one point ahead of second-placed Sundowns, who still have a game in hand.
The two teams had already met twice earlier in the 2025/26 season — once in the league and once in the Carling Knockout — with the Soweto giants winning both encounters.
The match began with both sides showing attacking intent. Pirates created early chances in the opening 10 minutes as the teams looked evenly matched.
As the half progressed, Pirates began to dominate possession. In the 20th minute, Yanele Mbuthuma nearly opened the scoring with a clever backheel following a cross from Kamogelo Sebelebele.
However, Ndaba’s mistake eight minutes later proved costly as Pule punished the error with a strike from outside the box to give the visitors the lead.
Pirates continued to push for an equaliser, but Siwelele’s defence held firm. Just before half-time, Thalente Mbatha unleashed a powerful effort, but Ricardo Goss produced a fine save to keep his side ahead.
The visitors went into the break leading 1-0.
Pirates responded early in the second half. In the 50th minute, Moremi found the equaliser after being played through by Mbatha, finishing calmly to bring the home side level.
The hosts nearly took the lead in the 70th minute when Moremi found himself with an open goal, but he failed to convert and the goalkeeper quickly recovered to make the save.
Pirates continued to pile on the pressure in the closing stages, repeatedly attacking Siwelele’s defence in search of a winner, but they were unable to find the decisive goal.
