In a thrilling encounter at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Orlando Pirates secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Golden Arrows, keeping their title hopes alive in the Betway Premiership. The match took place on May 6, 2025, and featured a solid performance from the Pirates, who were led by the standout play of Karim Kimvuidi, earning him the Man-of-the-Match award.
The Buccaneers opened the scoring in the 51st minute through Patrick Maswanganyi, who found the back of the net with a well-placed shot. However, the home side, Golden Arrows, quickly responded with an equalizer from Siyanda Mthanti, who leveled the score with a powerful strike. Just when it seemed the match would end in a draw, Tshegofatso Mabasa scored the winner for Pirates in the 72nd minute, sealing the crucial three points.
After the match, Kimvuidi expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play, stating, "First, I want to thank the (technical) staff, it's been a long time. Today, they gave me another chance to show up. My teammates today also helped me. It was a tough game, as you saw. Golden Arrows have a good team. It was tough, we tried our best until the end to collect all three points because the three points are important."
Despite not having much playing time this season, Kimvuidi emphasized the importance of teamwork, saying, "I haven't played a lot, but it's about the team. I am happy to get the Man of the Match. I need to try [harder], step by step, again and again. It's fine that I am Man of the Match, but what is important is the win for the team."
Coach Jose Riveiro, who is set to leave the club at the end of the season, praised his players for their courage and resilience throughout the match. "We struggled a little bit in the first half with the high pressing of Golden Arrows. They made an extraordinary effort. In the second half, we found different solutions. The team showed a lot of courage in the last part of the game. If you look at the amount of fatigue, it is not easy to compete here in these circumstances. I think the team showed that we came here to play seriously and get the three points," Riveiro said.
Riveiro's departure marks the end of a successful three-year tenure with the Pirates, during which he led the team to five trophies, including three MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cups. He remains optimistic about the club's future, assuring fans that the next coach will continue the progress made. "This is a club project, not a Riveiro project. The club knows what they are doing. Whoever is coming is gonna be the right person and will have the support and will find himself on a good platform to continue where we’re going to stop at the end of the season," he stated.
As the season approaches its conclusion, the Pirates find themselves in a challenging situation in the league. They are currently in second place, trailing log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by nine points, having played one game more. Despite the odds, the Pirates still hold a mathematical chance of clinching the league title.
Golden Arrows' coach, Manqoba Mngqithi, reflected on the match, acknowledging the efforts of his players despite the loss. "It was unfortunate that we lost. We had a very good first half where we could have scored as many goals as you can imagine against a very good team. But unfortunately, if you don't take your chances, you get punished. The second half was balanced. We had moments, and they had moments too, but they took their chances. I am very proud of how the guys played. The energy levels were very good and the intensity was at a high level," he said.
The victory against Golden Arrows comes after a mixed run of form for the Pirates. Their recent matches include a loss to Sekhukhune United and a narrow win against rivals Kaizer Chiefs just days prior. The team will now shift its focus to the upcoming Nedbank Cup final against Kaizer Chiefs, which is set to take place on May 10, 2025, at the same venue.
As the Pirates prepare for this crucial cup tie, the players and coaching staff will be eager to build on their recent performance and secure another trophy before Riveiro's departure. With the support of their passionate fanbase, the Buccaneers aim to finish the season on a high note, further solidifying their legacy in South African football.
Overall, the match against Golden Arrows showcased the determination and skill of Orlando Pirates, a team that continues to fight for glory in the face of challenges. As they look ahead to the final matches of the season, both the players and fans remain hopeful for a successful conclusion to this campaign.
