LIVESCORES MATCH REPORT
Orlando Pirates beat Durban City 2-0 as Seema and Moremi deliver second-half goals
Orlando Pirates overcame a difficult opening period to beat Durban City 2-0 in the Betway Premiership, with Lebone Seema and Tshepang Moremi scoring after the break in Soweto.
Orlando Pirates returned to Betway Premiership duty with a 2-0 win over Durban City at Orlando Amstel Arena on Thursday night, extending their strong start to the 2026/27 league season. The scoreline was settled by two second-half goals after the visitors had made the opening 45 minutes uncomfortable for the defending champions.
Durban City carried a threat early on and forced Sipho Chaine into important work. Orlando Pirates' official match report noted that the goalkeeper, making his 150th appearance for the club, denied Tylo Sanger in a one-on-one situation after defensive uncertainty. Jean Lumumba also threatened after linking with a Brooklyn Poggenpoel pass, while Pirates struggled to find a consistent rhythm before the interval.
Pirates take control after half-time
The home side were more forceful after the break. Kamogelo Sebelebele tested goalkeeper Fredrick Asare from a tight angle, before Yanela Mbuthuma had an effort cleared off the line following work from Kabelo Kgositsile on the byline.
The pressure finally produced the opener in the 58th minute. Defender Lebone Seema met a Kgositsile cross and headed in from close range. It was Seema's second league goal of the season, and it gave Pirates the breakthrough they had been pushing for since the restart.
Eleven minutes later, Pirates doubled the advantage. Simphiwe Masilela created the opening from the left and Tshepang Moremi finished from the edge of the box to make it 2-0. Durban City continued to push late in the game, but Pirates protected the clean sheet and saw out the result without conceding.
Why the result matters
The victory was Orlando Pirates' fourth consecutive league win and kept them unbeaten in the Premiership this season. SuperSport's post-match standings listed Pirates second with 16 points from six matches, while Durban City were 11th with six points from six. Pirates had entered the fixture on 13 points from five matches, seven behind Mamelodi Sundowns, so the win reduced that gap to four points while leaving Pirates with two matches in hand on the leaders.
For Durban City, the result was another reminder that competitive periods need to be converted into points. They caused Pirates problems before half-time, but the match turned once the hosts increased the pressure after the interval and found the opening goal.
What happens next
Both teams return to league action on Sunday, 20 September. The Premier Soccer League fixture list has Orlando Pirates away to Marumo Gallants at Royal Bafokeng Stadium at 15:00 SAST. Durban City are scheduled to visit Milford FC at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium at the same time.
Pirates therefore have little recovery time before another chance to add to their league total. Durban City, meanwhile, must regroup quickly for a second away assignment in four days as they look to improve on their six-point return from the opening six matches.