Orlando Pirates’ undefeated streak in the Betway Premiership came to an abrupt end as Stellenbosch FC claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Orlando Stadium on Sunday. Devin Titus was the hero for the visitors, netting the decisive goal in the 33rd minute.
The win catapulted Stellenbosch to third place on the league table with 15 points from eight games, while Pirates remain in second, tied on 21 points with leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who dominated Sekhukhune United with a commanding 3-0 win earlier in the day.
Match Recap
The match started with a flurry of activity from Pirates, as Evidence Makgopa tested Stellenbosch goalkeeper Sage Stephens with an early shot. Relebohile Mofokeng then came close with a curling effort that narrowly missed the target, signaling Pirates’ intent to break the deadlock.
However, Stellenbosch struck first. Devin Titus made the most of a quick counter-attack, slotting home a precise finish to put his team ahead in the 33rd minute. The goal stunned the home crowd and shifted the momentum in favor of the visitors.
Pirates pushed hard for an equalizer, with Patrick Maswanganyi coming close from a free-kick just before halftime. At the interval, coach Jose Riveiro made attacking changes, introducing Kabelo Dlamini to add spark to the midfield.
Dlamini nearly made an immediate impact, rattling the crossbar with a powerful strike. Despite relentless pressure from the Buccaneers, Stellenbosch’s defense, led by an inspired Sage Stephens, held firm. Stephens produced a stunning late save to deny Nkosinathi Sibisi’s goal-bound effort, sealing the victory for the visitors.
For Stellenbosch, this victory marks a significant statement in their campaign, as they inch closer to the league’s top two. Pirates, on the other hand, will view this as a missed opportunity to extend their lead over Sundowns.
Speaking after the game, Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker lauded his team’s discipline and resilience:
We knew we had to absorb a lot of pressure today. Credit to the boys—they showed grit and executed the game plan perfectly.”
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro admitted disappointment but remained optimistic:
“It’s a setback, but we’ll learn from this. The league is a marathon, not a sprint, and we’ll come back stronger.”
Stellenbosch will look to maintain their momentum in their next fixture, while Pirates must regroup quickly as they aim to reclaim the top spot. The defeat serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of the Betway Premiership, where every match matters.
