Orlando Pirates extended their unbeaten run in the Betway Premiership to eight matches following a convincing 3-1 win against Golden Arrows at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday night.
With the score tied at 1-1 with 74 minutes on the clock, second-half substitute Yanela Mbuthuma made the difference with a brace to give Pirates the victory in Umlazi.
Pirates saw the majority of the ball during the first 10 minutes of the match as they stroked the ball around in an attempt to assert their authority.
Striker Evidence Makgopa created Pirates' first attempt at goal in the 15th minute after his header went wide from a corner situation.
Sihle Nduli attempted to break the deadlock for Pirates through a shot from range a minute after Makgopa’s effort, however, his shot was saved by Zakahle Ngcobo in goal.
The Soweto giants took the lead in the 23rd minute after Nkosikhona Ndaba capped off brilliant play by Tshepang Moremi in the build-up as the 23-year-old opened his account for the club.
Nkosikhona Ndaba gets his first goal for the Bucs 😤☠️
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) November 5, 2025
📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/bKh9ykdlua
While Arrows battled to make the most of their chances, the game ended 1-0 in favour of Pirates at the break.
It was much of the same for Pirates after the restart with the likes of Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi and Makgopa creating chances for their side.
Pirates continued to enjoy the majority of the ball possession count midway through the second 45 and remained on the attack while Abafana Bes’thende struggled to progress up the pitch.
Despite playing under the cosh, Thokozani Khumalo levelled matters in the 72nd minute after Angelo van Rooi did well to find the Arrows star en-route to goal.
Not holding back, Pirates re-took the lead just two minutes later via Yanela Mbuthuma, who latched onto two quick fire passes by Thalente Mbatha and Patrick Maswanganyi before slotting the ball home with a right-footed effort from the middle of the box.
In full control of the tie, Mbuthuma then doubled his tally and increased Pirates’ goal advantage in the 87th minute, this time with a left-footed strike inside the area.
The game ended in Pirates' favour as their impressive run in the league continued.
☠️ FT | @goldenarrowsfc1 1 - 3 @orlandopirates
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) November 5, 2025
🥅 (OG) Jiyane 23', Mbuthuma 74', 87'
⚫⚪🔴⭐#MatchDay#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/eKorMwFbnw
Golden Arrows: (1) 1 (Khumalo 72')
Orlando Pirates: (0) 3 (Ndaba 23', Mbuthuma 74’, 87’)
Golden Arrows: Ngcobo, Madonsela (Shezi 75’), Jiyane, Karelse (T.Khumalo 46’), S.Cele, Mantshiyane, Maxwele, Dlamini, Ndlovu (Sithole 59’), Cisse (P.Khumalo 59’), Dion (van Rooi 46’)
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Seema, Sibisi, Ndaba, Lebitso, Nduli (Mbatha 47’), Nemtajela, Moremi (Mofokeng 81’), Appollis (Mbokazi 81’), Makgopa (Mbuthuma 64’), Mbule (Maswanganyi 65’)
