Orlando Pirates’ perfect start to the Betway Premiership came to an end as they lost 1-0 to Stellenbosch at Orlando Stadium on Sunday.  

Devin Titus scored the game’s only goal when he sprinted clear before cooly slotting the ball past Sipho Chaine in Pirates’ goal.  

It was a sweet revenge for Stellenbosch, who painfully lost to Pirates in the MTN8 final in October in Durban.  

Stellenbosch also defeated Pirates twice in both league matches last season.  

As the Soweto Giants lost for the first time in the league this season, it has allowed Mamelodi Sundowns to remain at the top of the table after beating Sekhukhune United on Saturday. Both teams are tied on 21 points after eight matches played.  

Pirates coach Jose Riveiro made no changes on Sunday in their team that won 2-1 on Tuesday against the Algerian giant CR Belouizdad in the CAF Champions League.  

The cohesion as they dominated the first 15 minutes against Stellies and they even got more than five changes, but failed to score at least one goal. The away side started to gain possession after 15 minutes of the game, and they almost scored a goal in the 18th minute through a corner kick but the Buccaneers were not sleeping at the back. Pirates got another great chance in the 27th minute, but the 2023/24 young player of the season Relebohile Mofokeng failed to convert his chance.  

After 30 minutes, Mohau Nkota got a chance but Sage Stephens made a great save. In the 33rd minute, the away side scored the first goal of the match through Bafana Bafana’s winger Titus.  

Stellies got another chance in the 35th minute but Sipho Chaine saved Thabo Moloisane’s shot so easily. After 40 minutes, Stephens made a mistake and the Buccaneers got an indirect free kick but unfortunately Pirates missed it.  

The first half ended 1-0 in favor of the visitors. Riveiro introduced Kabelo Dlamini before the second half even started, substituting Makhehleni Makhaula. Dlamini had a positive impact offensively for the Buccaneers as he created more than three chances in the first 10 minutes of the second half.  

The home side got a clear chance in the 59th minute and unfortunately, Evidence Makgopa failed to score a goal. Immediately after Makgopa’s chance Thalente Mbatha took a great shot from outside the box, but his shot went wide. The Buccaneers continued with dominating the game, Patrick Maswanganyi created a chance for Dlamini but Dlamini’s shot hit the bar in the 65th minute.  

In the 67th minute, Riveiro gave Deano Van Rooyen a chance to play against his former side substitution Thabiso Monyane. Tshegofatso Mabasa also made his way in as well for Makgopa at the same time as Van Rooyen.

Stellies got their first chance of the second half during the 78th minute but unfortunately, De Jong’s header went wide. Pirates had a chance to level matters later on in the game when Nkosinathi Sibisi shot straight at Sage Stephens inside the box following the back flick by Tshegofatso Mabasa.