It was not a vintage performance, but it brought another clean sheet and a third win in succession for The Buccaneers.
Here are the talking points from the game.
Hugo in the house
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos was watching from the stands along with his assistant coach, Helman Mkhalele. Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, right-back Deano van Rooyen, centre-back Nkosinathi Sibisi, midfielder Thalente Mbatha, wingers Oswin Appollis, Relebohile Mofokeng and Tshepang Moremi, attacking midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi, and strikers Evidence Makgopa and Yanela Mbuthuma are all in Broos’ preliminary squad for the two friendlies against Panama later this month.
Well-crafted opener
Pirates took the lead on 26 minutes and it was a lovely goal. Relebohile Mofokeng played a superb ball for Kamogelo Sebelebele, who showed his pace to reach it and pull it back from the byline, leaving Appollis with a relatively simple finish. That being said, he placed it well and did not try to blast it, as many in that position would have done. His composed finishing is a real asset for club and country. It was his fourth league goal of the campaign and his seventh overall. Add in seven assists in all competitions and he has been a huge part of their season.
Pirates fortunate
Pirates failed to kill the game and Richards Bay went into the final 10 minutes creating chances. When Sibisi failed to clear, it allowed Luyanda Khumalo a clear sight of goal, but as happened on several occasions, he failed to back himself and take a shot, instead looking to square the ball, and the home side were able to clear. Mofokeng then struck the crossbar late on. He was superb and the best player on the pitch, staking a real claim for that number 10 position for Bafana at the World Cup.
Late penalty
Evidence Makgopa added a second from a penalty though the award of the spot-kick was a little dubious by referee Masixole Bambiso. Namibian Baggio Nashixwa appeared to win the ball and get little of the man in a challenge against Moremi, but the latter went down in a heap and after some thought, Bambiso gave it. Makgopa’s penalty was composed.
World Cup ball
Sundowns yesterday played with the 2026 World Cup ball, which they have been using for several weeks, and now Pirates have introduced it as well. Broos will be happy that the bulk of his squad are getting used to it. We all remember the furore around the Jabulani ball used in 2010 and how it moved through the air. If this 2026 version has any unusual traits, it is good to find out now.
Where does this leave us?
The victory moves Pirates back level on 47 points with Sundowns but takes them to the top of the table on goal-difference, with that late Makgopa penalty being the difference between first and second. Pirates have a +25 goal-difference to Sundowns’ +24, so it could not be much tighter. Both teams have 10 games remaining. Sundowns are not in action this weekend as they face Stade Malien in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals, so Pirates can extend their lead when they host Siwelele.
