In a stunning upset that disrupted Orlando Pirates’ remarkable season, Stellenbosch FC inflicted a 1-0 defeat on the title contenders at Orlando Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Devin Titus emerged as the hero for the visitors, scoring the decisive goal just after the half-hour mark, thanks to a slick setup from Ashley Cupido.
Orlando Pirates entered the match riding high, boasting seven consecutive victories and a club-record perfect start to the league. Their confidence was further bolstered by a recent 2-1 win over CR Belouizdad in the CAF Champions League, a testament to their growing prowess in both domestic and continental competitions. However, coach Steve Barker’s Stellenbosch side proved a formidable challenge, even as they appeared to show signs of fatigue after their midweek travels.
The match witnessed a Pirates side, buzzing with the attacking talent of Patrick Maswangayi, Evidence Makgopa, Mohau Nkota, and Relebohile Mofokeng, struggle to penetrate the visitors’ disciplined defence. Despite dominating possession and launching multiple assaults on goal, Orlando’s attacking efforts were consistently thwarted by the outstanding performance of Sage Stephens, who found himself under relentless pressure during much of the second half.
In a tense second half, the Pirates almost drew level when Kabelo Dlamini, who was introduced as a second-half substitute, unleashed a powerful strike that rattled the crossbar. However, for all their attacking endeavours, Stellenbosch FC held firm, absorbing the pressure and maintaining their slender advantage.
This crucial victory sees Stellenbosch FC leapfrog to third place in the league standings, replicating their final position from last season with 15 points from eight games. Meanwhile, Pirates remain second, missing an opportunity to reclaim the top position from reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns. As the season unfolds, it’s clear that Stellenbosch’s tenacity has thrown an early spanner into the works for title chasers Pirates.