Pirates Hit 25 Points, Catch Sundowns to Go Level at the Top
Orlando Pirates moved joint-top of the Betway Premiership table after grinding out a 2–0 victory over Chippa United at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night, pulling level with champions Mamelodi Sundowns on 25 points — with a game in hand.
The Buccaneers dominated large spells of the match but were made to work for the breakthrough, as Chippa goalkeeper Dumisani Msibi produced a string of fine saves to keep his side in the contest. Pirates pushed relentlessly from the opening whistle, creating chance after chance through Tshepang Moremi, Relebohile Mofokeng and Sipho Mbule, while Chippa threatened sporadically through Bienvenu Eva Nga.
Makgopa Breaks the Deadlock
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 74th minute.
Goal! Orlando Pirates 1, Chippa United 0.
Evidence Makgopa reacted quickest inside the box, firing a right-footed effort from close range into the high centre of the net after a perfectly placed assist from Deon Hotto. The goal rewarded Pirates’ sustained pressure and lifted the energy inside Orlando Stadium.
Moments earlier, Pirates had peppered Chippa’s defence with shots from Moremi, Mofokeng and Appollis, while substitutes Makhehlene Makhaula and Oswin Appollis injected fresh intensity.
Appollis Seals It in Added Time
With Chippa pushing for an equaliser, Pirates capitalised on space late in stoppage time.
Goal! Orlando Pirates 2, Chippa United 0.
Oswin Appollis cut inside from the left before unleashing a right-footed rocket into the top-right corner after Kabelo Dlamini cleverly recycled a corner delivery. The strike sealed the win in the 90+4th minute and underlined Pirates’ superior depth and composure.
Chippa Fight Hard but Fall Short
Chippa United created a handful of late opportunities — most notably Asanele Bonani’s long-range strike in the 90+2nd minute — but Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine remained alert, making crucial saves throughout the match.
The visitors also made several defensive interventions, with Idumba, Seabi and Majadibodu working overtime to keep the score respectable. However, they struggled to cope with Pirates’ pace, rotation and sustained territorial dominance.
A Match Full of Action
The encounter featured:
• Multiple goalmouth chances for Pirates through Mofokeng, Hotto and Mbuthuma
• Key saves from Chippa’s Msibi and Pirates’ Chaine
• Six substitutions for both sides that shifted the match’s tempo
• A busy second half that saw wave after wave of Pirates pressure
• Five minutes of added time, with Pirates striking decisively at the end
Title Race Takes New Shape
The win lifts Pirates to 25 points from 11 matches, equal with Sundowns but with one game in hand. It is their sixth win in seven league matches, extending a remarkable run of momentum under coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.
Chippa United remain bottom of the table with just seven points and a growing fight for survival.
Pirates now shift their focus to upcoming fixtures knowing that victory in their next outing could see them stand alone at the summit of the league for the first time this season.
Match Centre – Betway Premiership 2025/26 Latest Log Table
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mamelodi Sundowns | 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 19 | 6 | +13 | 25 |
| 2 | Orlando Pirates | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 5 | +11 | 25 |
| 3 | Sekhukhune United | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 7 | +8 | 22 |
| 4 | Kaizer Chiefs | 11 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 6 | +7 | 22 |
| 5 | AmaZulu FC | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 10 | +4 | 21 |
| 6 | TS Galaxy | 12 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 18 | 13 | +5 | 19 |
| 7 | Durban City | 13 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 9 | +2 | 19 |
| 8 | Polokwane City | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 7 | +2 | 19 |
| 9 | Golden Arrows | 13 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 19 | 18 | +1 | 16 |
| 10 | Richards Bay | 13 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 13 | -4 | 14 |
| 11 | Marumo Gallants | 13 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 16 | -5 | 14 |
| 12 | Siwelele | 13 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 12 | -5 | 14 |
| 13 | Orbit College FC | 12 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 11 | 20 | -9 | 13 |
| 14 | Magesi FC | 12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 17 | -8 | 10 |
| 15 | Stellenbosch FC | 12 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 15 | -8 | 9 |
| 16 | Chippa United | 13 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 21 | -14 | 7 |