It was a disappointing start to Orlando Pirates’ Betway Premiership campaign as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Sekhukhune United in a game played at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
After finishing second in the previous term, the Buccaneers were chasing their first three points of the 2025/26 season at home to a side that finished two spots below them. It was the second outing of the current campaign for both sides with the Soweto Giants looking to make it back-to-back wins at home after last weekend’s cup success, while their opponents were looking for a similar result in their second game on the road.
Pirates did not immediately have a lot to show for their dominance in possession with the visitors getting the better of the early chances. It took only three minutes for Sekhukhune to find their first attempt at goal as Katlego Letlapa shot fizzed just wide of the target.
The hosts’ best chance in the early exchanges came through a bit of fortune when Deon Hotto’s cross towards Boitumelo Radiopane was deflected straight to the Babina Noko by defender Daniel Cardoso. Forward momentum however, remained with the visitors who had another chance through veteran striker Bradley Grobler, whose effort from inside the box was well wide.
It was only after the end of the first quarter that the Buccaneers found their real shot in anger, and it came through Sipho Mbule who drew a save off Renaldo Leaner with a powerful shot from range in the 27th minute. Patrick Maswanganyi followed this up with another effort from distance, failing to trouble the Sekhukhune shot-stopper.
