Hotto Stars As Bucs Clinch Back-To-Back Wins

Orlando Pirates made it back-to-back wins in the Betway Premiership with a 2-1 triumph against Sekhukhune United on Wednesday night.

Betway Premiership

Result: Sekhukhune United 1-2 Orlando Pirates

Date: 05 February 2025

Venue: Old Peter Mokaba Stadium

Jose Riveiro made one change to the Buccaneers line-up after the win over Kaizer Chiefs as Paseko Mako came in for Mohau Nkota, who was not included in the match day squad.

Deon Hotto moved into Nkota's role on the wing and found the breakthrough after five minutes when he caught the Sekhukhune goalkeeper out with a free-kick that sailed in at the near post.

The fast start was somewhat soured just before the 20-minute mark when defender Thabiso Sesane was stretchered off after picking up an injury. Thapelo Xoki was brought on as the replacement.

It was one-way traffic for most of the early parts of the first and that nearly changed after 33 minutes when Keletso Makgalwa surged towards before unleashing a powerful strike that was kept out by Sipho Chaine, which proved to be the only effort from the home side in the first period.

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The Buccaneers, however, started the second half in similar fashion to the first as Hotto turned provider to pick out Makhehlene Makhaula, who nodded home the cross for his first league goal of the season.

Sekhukhune coach Lehlohonolo Seema responded by making a triple change just before the hour mark, as Chibuike Ohizu, Tshepo Mokoena and former Pirates midfielder Linda Mntambo were introduced.

The changes paid off as the hosts pulled one goal back in the 77th minute when Mntambo bundled the ball home from close range after Letlapa's strike was parried onto the upright by Sipho Chaine.

The hosts pushed for an equaliser late in the second half but Pirates defence, including Chaine made sure to deny their counter-parts with some vital saves to seal maximum points on the night.

Here's how they lined up:

Sekhukhune United: 30. Sangare, 2. Ngakosso, 29. Tshibwabwa, 25. Letlapa, 35. Mahlangu, 18. Monare,  22. Mbule, 33. Rammala, 26. Mohamme, 9. Boyeli, 7. Makgalwa.

Subs:1. Kazapua, 31. Mokoena, 4. Cardoso, 27. Mkhabela, 10. Mncube, 34. Ohizu, 24. Sithole, 14. Langa

Orlando Pirates: 34. Chaine, 3. Van Rooyen, 36. Sesane, 5. Sibisi, 29. Mako, 16. Mbatha, 8. Makhaula, 28. Maswanganyi, 7. Hotto, 38. Mofokeng, 9. Mabasa

Subs: 35. Buthelezi, 34. Ndlozi, 32. Rasebotja, 27. Xoki, 26. Shandu, 25. Kimvuidi, 18. Dlamini, 17. Makgopa