Relebohile Mofokeng scored a beautiful goal as Orlando Pirates ended the year in second place on the PSL table just three points behind Mamelodi Sundowns.
Mofokeng curled in a stunning strike on the stroke of half time and the goal made all the difference as Pirates beat 10-man Magesi FC 1-0 in their final match of 2024 to take their tally to 27 points from 10 matches, three adrift of Sundowns, and with a game in hand.
It is a game when Magesi goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze proved why he was voted Man of the Match four times in his side’s fairytale run to the Carling Knockout win as he made a number of key saves to deny Pirates.
The Buccaneers had two things in mind heading into the match, looking to avenge the 3-2 defeat to Magesi in the Carling Knockout first round in October, with an eye on the league table, and they managed to accomplish both thanks to the genius of Mofokeng in what was a tough match for the visitors.
What Gakpo can do, Rele can do
Pirates huffed and puffed in the early exchanges at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday afternoon until Magesi were reduced to 10 men in the 39th minute, John Mokone receiving his marching orders for a cynical challenge on Mohau Nkota.
Soon after, it was Magesi who nearly scored from a 43rd minute corner when Wonderboy Makhubu headed in towards the Bucs goal but was denied by Sipho Chaine.
Two minutes later, Mofokeng received the ball from a quickly taken corner before unleashing a curling effort that went into the bottom corner, reminiscent of the goal scored by Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo against Leicester City in the Premier League on Boxing Day.
Pirates’ subs nearly doubled the lead
Pirates then tried to go for a second goal in the second half with coach Jose Riveiro introducing Patrick Maswanganyi for Makhehlene Makhaula and Boitumelo Radiopane for Evidence Makgopa at halftime while Angolan winger Gilberto later came in for Nkota.
The substitutes nearly combined for the second later when Gilberto threaded a perfectly-weighted ball through for Maswanganyi but the midfielder was denied by Chipezeze in the 77th minute.
Four minutes from time, Gilberto cut in from the left then unleashed a shot at goal but his effort could not trouble the goalkeeper as Pirates held on to claim all three points.
