Orlando Pirates moved to within three points of South African league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Magesi FC on Sunday.
The match, held at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, saw the Pirates earn all three points thanks to a first-half goal from Relebohile Mofokeng.
Mofokeng’s strike came just before the break, as he skilfully curled the ball into the far corner of the net after evading his defender.
This vital goal brought Pirates’ tally to 27 points, reducing the deficit to Sundowns, who had won 2-0 against Richards Bay the day before.
Despite being the more dominant side, Pirates faced a challenging encounter, especially after Magesi FC had a player sent off.
Lehlogonolo Mokone’s dismissal left Magesi with 10 men, yet they continued to pose a threat.
In one of the most pivotal moments of the match, Magesi’s Wonderboy Makhubu missed a penalty, which could have levelled the score.
The second half saw Pirates push for a second goal, making several tactical changes in an attempt to consolidate their advantage.
However, Magesi remained dangerous on the counter-attack, forcing Pirates to stay alert in defense.
Both teams had additional opportunities, but neither could find the back of the net again.
In the end, the 1-0 result proved enough for Orlando Pirates to secure a valuable win, keeping them within striking distance of Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the league standings.
The victory also reaffirmed their strong form, with Pirates now eyeing the top spot as the season progresses.
