Pirates Deepen SuperSport’s Relegation Woes With Narrow Victory

Orlando Pirates inflicted further misery on SuperSport United as Mohau Nkota’s second-half goal secured a vital win for the Soweto Giants at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday.

In a match that largely lacked sustained entertainment, Nkota provided the decisive moment, cutting inside to fire home and move Pirates to 59 points after 26 matches. This achievement marks a new high for the Buccaneers in terms of points accumulated in the Betway Premiership under the tenure of former coach Jose Riveiro, who departed two weeks prior.

The first half was a subdued affair with little urgency from either side. However, Pirates did have an early opportunity when Tshegofatso Mabasa was denied from close range by a sharp save from SuperSport goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa.

While Pirates entered the game with their second-place finish in the Betway Premiership already guaranteed, SuperSport’s situation is far more precarious.

Matsatsantsa arrived at the match lying third from bottom with 26 points from 25 matches, level with 15th-placed Cape Town City, who had played two games more. Despite their desperate position, SuperSport’s overall display did not reflect a team fighting vehemently to escape the dreaded relegation zone.

SuperSport’s most notable chance came from Lebohang Maboe, on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns, who fired wide from inside the box following a cross by Aphiwe Baliti.

Pirates were also missing the attacking influence of Relebohile Mofokeng, who was suspended after accumulating a fourth yellow card in their previous game against TS Galaxy. The recent departure of head coach Jose Riveiro is also being felt within the Pirates squad, evident in their draw against Galaxy over the weekend, with Mandla Ncikazi now in charge as caretaker coach.

In the opening stages of the second half, SuperSport came close to breaking the deadlock through Keanin Ayer, but Mbekezeli Mbokazi bravely put his body on the line to block the shot.

Chances remained scarce for both sides, with possession frequently turning over in midfield, despite Pirates holding a slight edge in overall possession.

However, Pirates suddenly capitalized on an opportunity. Karim Kimvuidi surged forward on a counterattack, releasing Mohau Nkota, who skillfully cut inside to find space and unleash a shot past Mbanjwa, who had advanced from his goalline in the 72nd minute.

This goal proved particularly problematic for SuperSport’s aspirations of moving away from the relegation zone, as they had failed to offer much more in attack throughout the game. In the dying minutes, Nyiko Mobbie came agonizingly close for SuperSport, as his header struck the woodwork before the ball went to safety.

This was effectively the only serious test faced by debutant goalkeeper Siyabonga Dladla in goals for Pirates during the entire match.