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Orlando Pirates Secures Victory Over Stellenbosch 1-0 in Premier Soccer League Clash on August 20, 2025

In a thrilling encounter in Match Round 3 of the Premier Soccer League, Orlando Pirates secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Stellenbosch at the Orlando Stadium. The match was marked by moments of drama and excitement, with Kamogelo Sebelebele proving to be the hero for the home side with a goal in the 15th minute.
The game got off to an electric start, with both teams displaying a high level of intensity and determination. Orlando Pirates looked sharp from the outset, pressing high up the pitch and creating several early chances. Stellenbosch, however, showed resilience in defense and managed to keep the Pirates at bay in the opening exchanges.
It was Kamogelo Sebelebele who broke the deadlock in the 15th minute with a clinical finish past the Stellenbosch goalkeeper, sending the home fans into raptures. The goal injected a sense of urgency into the match, with Stellenbosch pushing forward in search of an equalizer.
Despite their best efforts, Stellenbosch struggled to break down a resolute Orlando Pirates defense, with the home side holding firm and maintaining their slender lead. The match ebbed and flowed, with both teams trading possession and creating opportunities in an end-to-end battle.
As the final whistle blew, it was Orlando Pirates who emerged victorious, claiming a crucial three points in front of their passionate supporters. The win sees Orlando Pirates maintain their unbeaten start to the season and climb up the league table, while Stellenbosch will be left to rue missed opportunities in a tightly contested encounter.
Overall, it was a pulsating affair between two competitive sides, with Kamogelo Sebelebele’s goal ultimately proving to be the difference. The result will undoubtedly provide a boost for Orlando Pirates as they look to build momentum in the Premier Soccer League, while Stellenbosch will look to regroup and bounce back in their next fixture.
Line-ups:
Orlando Pirates
- Sipho Chaine (7)
- Deano David van Rooyen (7)
- Lebone Seema (7.2)
- Mbekezeli Mbokazi (7)
- Deon Daniel Hotto Kavendji (7.3)
- Sihle Nduli (7.3)
- Thalente Mbatha (7.3)
- Relebohile Mofokeng (7.2)
- Kamogelo Sebelebele (8.9)
- Oswin Reagan Appollis (6.6)
- Sekotori Evidence Makgopa (6.5)
Stellenbosch
Substitutions:
Orlando Pirates
- Deano David van Rooyen (Sipho Percevale Mbule, 20)
- Sekotori Evidence Makgopa (Tshegofatso John Mabasa, 63)
- Thalente Mbatha (Kabelo Dlamini, 63)
- Oswin Reagan Appollis (Tshepang Moremi, 81)
Stellenbosch
- Lesiba Nku (Khomotjo Lekoloane, 61)
- Chumani Thembile Butsaka (Thato Khiba, 61)
- Lehlohonolo Bradley Mojela (Andre de Jong, 61)
- Devin Titus (Langelihle Phili, 61)
- Ibraheem Jabaar (Muzomuhle Khanyi, 75)
Ball possession:
In a thrilling encounter between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch, the ball possession was dominated by the Buccaneers with 58% compared to Stellenbosch’s 42%. The match showcased a display of attacking prowess from both sides, with Orlando Pirates registering 15 shots on target and 3 on goal.
The standout performer for Orlando Pirates in terms of shooting was Relebohile Mofokeng, who was relentless in his pursuit of goal-scoring opportunities. Despite their dominance in possession and shots, Orlando Pirates struggled to convert their chances into goals.
On the other hand, Stellenbosch managed to make 6 shots on target, with only 1 finding the back of the net. Mthetheleli Mthiyane was the standout player for Stellenbosch, showcasing precision and accuracy in his shots on goal.
Overall, it was a fiercely contested match with both teams showcasing their attacking intent. Orlando Pirates will be left ruing their missed opportunities, while Stellenbosch will take heart from their clinical finishing. The final scoreline may not fully reflect the intensity of the match, but it was a spectacle filled with excitement and drama.
Passes:
Orlando Pirates faced off against Stellenbosch in a highly anticipated match that showcased some impressive passing skills from both teams. Mbekezeli Mbokazi of Orlando Pirates displayed excellent precision with an impressive pass accuracy of 87% out of a total of 57 passes attempted. Henri Stanic of Stellenbosch also showcased his passing prowess with a remarkable 89% pass accuracy from 46 passes.
The midfield battle was intense, with Relebohile Mofokeng of Orlando Pirates standing out by delivering 3 key passes that created opportunities for his team. On the other side, Ibraheem Jabaar of Stellenbosch managed to make 1 key pass that kept his team in contention.
The match was a display of technical skill and strategic gameplay, with both teams utilizing their passing abilities to control possession and create scoring opportunities. Despite the impressive passing accuracy from both sides, the match ended in a hard-fought draw, highlighting the resilience and determination of both teams.
Overall, the clash between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch was a testament to the importance of precision passing in modern football, with Mbokazi, Stanic, Mofokeng, and Jabaar showcasing their abilities to dictate the flow of the game through their accurate distribution of the ball.
Defense:
In a tightly contested match between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch, defensive prowess took center stage as both teams showcased their resilience at the back. Stellenbosch emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, thanks in part to their impressive display in defense, particularly in terms of interceptions and blocks.
Stellenbosch’s defense was led by their diligent backline, with a total of 13 interceptions throughout the match. Omega Mdaka stood out with 4 interceptions, showcasing his ability to read the game and disrupt Orlando Pirates’ attacking plays effectively. Mthetheleli Mthiyane also made a crucial interception, denying the Pirates a potential goal-scoring opportunity.
On the other side, Orlando Pirates put up a valiant defensive effort but struggled to match Stellenbosch’s interception count. Sihle Nduli was a standout performer for the Pirates, leading his team with 3 interceptions. However, the team as a whole managed to accumulate a total of 7 interceptions, highlighting their commitment to disrupting Stellenbosch’s attacking rhythm.
In terms of blocks, both teams showed determination to throw their bodies in the line of fire to deny goal-scoring chances. While specific block statistics were not provided for Orlando Pirates, it was evident that their defenders put in a solid shift to limit Stellenbosch’s opportunities in front of goal.
Overall, the match was a testament to the importance of strong defensive actions in football, with Stellenbosch’s superior interception count playing a significant role in their victory. As they continue their campaign, both teams will look to build on their defensive performances and shore up any vulnerabilities to secure positive results in future encounters.
Face-to-face:
In a heated clash between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch, the battle for possession was intense, with two standout players emerging as leaders in face-to-face duels for the ball. Thalente Mbatha of Orlando Pirates and Mthetheleli Mthiyane of Stellenbosch showcased their tenacity and determination, engaging in 8 face-to-face fights each to assert their dominance on the pitch.
The match was a spectacle of high-octane action, with Mbatha and Mthiyane at the forefront of every crucial challenge. Their unwavering commitment to securing possession for their respective teams added an extra layer of intensity to an already fiercely contested encounter.
As the final whistle blew, it was evident that the battle between Mbatha and Mthiyane had been a key subplot in the overall narrative of the game. Their ability to consistently come out on top in face-to-face duels highlighted their importance to their teams and underlined their status as pivotal figures in the outcome of the match.
In the end, Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch played out a thrilling match that will be remembered for the fierce competition in the midfield, with Thalente Mbatha and Mthetheleli Mthiyane leaving their mark as the leaders in face-to-face fights for the ball.
The last five games (including this match):
- Orlando Pirates –
- Stellenbosch –
Top 5 Premier Soccer League scorers:
- P. Dithejane (3, [])
- Sede Junior Dion (2, )
- V. Mncube (2, )
- G. Sirino (1, )
- Jaisen Jaren Clifford (1, )
Next games:
- Orlando Pirates will play with Orbit College. August 26 at 17:30 (GMT), on Orlando Stadium.
- Stellenbosch will play with Marumo Gallants. August 26 at 17:30 (GMT), on Danie Craven Stadium.