Staff Reporter.
Orlando Pirates suffered a 1-0 defeat to Stellenbosch FC in their DStv Premiership opener at Danie Craven Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday night.
After a quiet opening spell, Pirates had the first shot in anger, with midfielder Thabo Monare slicing a long-range attempt high and wide in the ninth minute.
Stellies put together some promising forays of their own, with a 23rd-minute example seeing Antonio van Wyk whip a dangerous ball into the box which Devon Titus just failed to make contact with, allowing goalkeeper Sipho Chaine to make a comfortable save.
Just before the half-hour mark, Pirates were inches away from taking the lead, with Monnapule Saleng cutting onto his right foot and shooting for goal – his effort deflected off a diving Fawaaz Basadien and crashed into the crossbar.
Stellies upped their tempo as the interval approached and were rewarded in the 42nd minute when Jayden Adams played a perfectly-weighted pass to put Van Wyk in on goal, and the 21-year-old showed great composure to beat the keeper with a low, left-footed shot for 1-0.
A goal down at the break, Pirates started the second half strongly in search of an equaliser but found the hosts a tough nut to crack, most notably when Fortune Makaringe looked set to score from close range but was denied by a brilliant challenge from Ismael Toure.
The Buccaneers continued to see more of the ball through the second half, but chances were hard to come by, and even fresh legs in the shape of Katlego Otladisa and Evidence Makgopa struggled to make an impact on the game.
In fact, it was a Stellenbosch substitute, Kgaogelo Sekgota, who had a bigger influence with his tracking back and helping double up on Pirates’ dangerous Saleng, helping the Cape side to hold out against a late wave of pressure and secure victory.
The teams will return to DStv Premiership action this coming midweek, with Pirates at home to Royal AM on Tuesday 8 August, while Stellenbosch will be away to Polokwane City the following day.