Staff Reporter.
Orlando Pirates was held to a 1-1 draw by Magesi FC on Wednesday evening in their last game of the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season.
Pirates made a bright start and threatened as early as the opening minute when Patrick Maswanganyi flashed a first-time shot wide of the target after being set up by Boitumelo Radiopane.
Pirates hit the front just six minutes later as they caught out Magesi from a set-piece routine. After making a couple of dummy runs, Relebohile Mofokeng played the free-kick to Maswanganyi, who beat Elvis Chipezeze from the top of the D line with the defence too slow to react.
The Soweto giants turned defence into attack in the 17th minute which was started by Sipho Chaine from a Magesi free-kick and resulted in Mohau Nkota getting off a shot that was saved by Elvis Chipezeze.
However, the visitors responded on 32 minutes following a mistake from Nkosinathi Sibisi, allowing Thabang Sibanyoni to play Edmore Chirambadare into space on the left and Zimbabwean winger finished well.
Pirates came out of the blocks flying in the second half, with Innocent Maela heading wide from a corner in the 49th minute before Nkota latched onto a loose ball and fired over the crossbar on 53 minutes.
Nkota had another sniff at goal on the hour mark as he cut inside from the right and lined up a shot that flew narrowly over the target, while Chipezeze was alert to the danger four minutes later to deny Maswanganyi his second.
Chipezeze also saved Tshegofatso Mabasa’s header from a free-kick on 70 minutes and was called into action again two minutes later to keep out an effort from Nkota, who popped up on the left on this occasion.
Pirates were just not able find a second goal as Mofokeng failed to trouble Chipezeze in the 88th minute after being teed up by Mabasa.