Johannesburg – Evidence Makgopa converted an added-time penalty to give Orlando Pirates a 2-0 South African Premiership victory over Richards Bay in Soweto on Wednesday, and first place on goal difference.
Sundowns, seeking a record-extending ninth straight Premiership title, had taken a three-point lead over Pirates on Tuesday by winning 2-0 at lowly Orbit College.
While Sundowns have dominated the richest national league in Africa, Pirates were last crowned champions in 2012.
“We wake every morning dreaming of winning the championship,” said Pirates’ Moroccan coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, a former Premier League defender with Fulham.
“Richards Bay had a good game plan. They blocked our attempts to attack down the middle and forced us to go wide a lot.
Goal Orlando Pirates!!
2-0Evidence Makgopa Sends Orlando Pirates Back To The Top of The Betway Premiership!
Tough Game But We Survived Mabhakaniya!!
Pain Sent Directly To Chloorkop & Naturena#BetwayPrem || #OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/JPLvHxo4s1— Nashe 🇾🇪🏴☠️🟣 Carling Double Trouble 🏆🏆 (@TmCiteilife) March 11, 2026
“Once again we should have scored more goals, given the amount of possession we had. We are often let down by our final pass.”
Pirates led after 26 minutes when a Kamogelo Sebelebele cut-back was fired past Kenya goalkeeper Ian Otieno by Oswin Appollis for his fourth Premiership goal of the campaign.
Makgopa came off the bench to seal victory after an improved second-half showing by Bay failed to produce an equaliser.
Sundowns scored twice early in the second half in Rustenburg on Tuesday. Portuguese Miguel Reisinho claimed his first league goal and Iqraam Rayners netted from a penalty.
Rayners’ goal took him level with Ivorian Junior Dion of Golden Arrows as the leading Premiership scorers with 10 each.
The Sundowns and South Africa striker has the most goals in all domestic competitions this season with 13.
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Source: AFP
