Marumo Gallants vs Orlando Pirates
By Sello Masilo
Bloemfontein, South Africa – Free State Stadium erupted in celebration on Saturday, March 1, 2025, as Marumo Gallants pulled off a stunning 2-0 victory over Orlando Pirates in a Betway Premiership clash. Goals from Gabadinho Mhango and an own goal by Thalente Mbatha handed the home side a rare win against one of the league’s giants, sending fans into a frenzy. For a team battling to climb the table, this upset was a massive boost, while Pirates’ title hopes took a knock after a night of missed chances.
A Night to Remember at Free State Stadium
It’s not every day you see a team like Marumo Gallants beat Orlando Pirates, a side chasing the Betway Premiership crown. But on March 1, 2025, the Free State Stadium faithful witnessed just that. Gabadinho Mhango struck early in the 15th minute, and Thalente Mbatha’s own goal in the 76th sealed a 2-0 win that had the home crowd singing and dancing long after the final whistle. For Gallants, it was a gritty, hard-fought triumph; for Pirates, a night of frustration they’ll want to forget.
This match, a postponed fixture from matchday 8, was more than just three points for Gallants—it was a statement. Pirates, sitting second in the league with 36 points from 15 games, came into the game as heavy favourites. But Gallants, hovering near the bottom with a string of tough results, turned the tables with a performance full of heart and a bit of luck.
Match Recap: How Gallants Shocked the Buccaneers
The game kicked off at 5:45 PM local time at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, with a buzzing crowd ready for a showdown. Pirates, known for their attacking flair, started strong, but Gallants stood firm and delivered a masterclass in seizing their moments.
First Half: Mhango’s Early Strike
The opening minutes saw Pirates take charge, pushing forward with intent. By the 9th minute, they’d already had two clear chances, only stopped by a brilliant save from Marumo’s goalkeeper, Washington Arubi. But disaster struck for Gallants soon after—Arubi limped off injured in the 12th minute, replaced by Daniel Mlambo. Fans held their breath, wondering if this would derail their team.
Then came the breakthrough. In the 15th minute, Gabadinho Mhango, a former Pirates star, turned the game on its head. Latching onto a rebound in the box, he smashed the ball past Sipho Chaine to make it 1-0. The stadium roared as “the law of the ex” came into play—Mhango haunting his old club with a cracking finish.
Pirates fought back, nearly levelling the score in the 35th minute when the ball rolled agonisingly across the goal line, inches from a tap-in. But Gallants’ defence held tight, and despite eight minutes of added time—thanks to stoppages like Mlambo’s knock in the 44th—they went into the break 1-0 up.
Second Half: Pirates’ Woes and Mbatha’s Misfortune
The second half began with Pirates looking sharper, dominating possession and pressing for an equaliser. In the 59th minute, Tshegofatso Mabasa had a golden chance—an open goal after Mlambo misjudged his run—but he fluffed it, firing wide to the disbelief of the Pirates bench.
Gallants weathered the storm, and in the 76th minute, they struck again. Pirates were piling on the pressure when Gallants broke on the counter. A cross deflected off Thalente Mbatha into his own net, doubling the lead to 2-0. The home fans went wild, sensing a famous victory was within reach.
As the clock ticked into five minutes of added time at the 90th mark, Pirates threw everything forward. They racked up six clear chances throughout the game, but poor finishing and bad luck meant they couldn’t find the net. When the referee blew the final whistle at 93 minutes, Free State Stadium erupted, celebrating Gallants’ heroic 2-0 win.
Key Players: Heroes and Villains of the Night
Gabadinho Mhango: The Ex Who Stung
Mhango was the star of the show, scoring the opener that set Gallants on their way. The Malawian striker, who once wore Pirates’ black and white, showed no mercy against his former team. His goal in the 15th minute was his fourth of the season, proving he’s still got the knack for big moments.
Thalente Mbatha: A Night to Forget
For Pirates’ midfielder Thalente Mbatha, it was a tough outing. His own goal in the 76th minute sealed their fate, turning a tight game into a mountain to climb. Despite his usual flair—he’s scored twice this season—it wasn’t his day.
Tshegofatso Mabasa: Missed Chances Haunt Pirates
Mabasa, Pirates’ top scorer with eight goals in 15 games, had a nightmare in front of goal. His miss in the 59th minute, with the keeper nowhere to be seen, was the pick of the bunch—a moment that summed up Pirates’ wasteful night.
Pirates’ Dominance Dented: A Rare Gallants Victory
Historically, Orlando Pirates have owned this fixture. In their last eight meetings, Pirates won five, drew three, and Gallants hadn’t tasted victory once—until now. The goal difference stood at 17-3 in Pirates’ favour before this match, including an 8-1 thrashing of Gallants on December 24, 2024, in the Carling Knockout. That day, Mabasa bagged a hat-trick, and Mbatha scored twice, making this 2-0 loss an even bigger shock.
Posts on X captured the surprise. One user (@khedsmann) quipped, “Full time score: Marumo Gallants 2-0 Pirates,” mocking pre-match optimism about Pirates scoring freely. Another from @FARPostZA hailed it as an “entertaining showdown,” spotlighting Gallants’ resilience.
What This Means for the Betway Premiership
Pirates entered the game second in the standings with 36 points from 15 matches, trailing leaders Mamelodi Sundowns (51 points from 19 games). This loss keeps them 15 points behind, though with four games in hand, the title race isn’t over yet. For Gallants, stuck in 14th with 14 points from 19 games, these three points are gold dust in their fight against relegation.
The Betway Premiership table remains tight at the top, with Sundowns pulling away after their 1-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs on the same day. Gallants’ victory lifts them closer to safety, but they’ll need more performances like this to escape the drop zone.
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