Saleng the saviour as Pirates come from behind to edge Chippa in Betway Premiership opener

Andile Jali returned to haunt his former club, scoring a stunning long-range strike to give the visitors the lead midway through the first half but Tshegofatso Mabasa equalised from the penalty spot on the stroke of halftime.

The match began with the hosts displaying plenty of energy, but their first clear opportunity didn't come until the 15th minute when Olisa Ndah directed a header wide from a corner.

The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute, courtesy of Jali. After a loose ball was only partially cleared, he unleashed a powerful half-volley that left goalkeeper Sipho Chaine stranded.

The Soweto giants pressed hard for an equalizer for the rest of the half. In the 35th minute, Monnapule Saleng forced a save from Stanley Nwabali after capitalizing on another loose ball. Chaine was tested again shortly after, blocking a volley from Bienvenu Eva Nga in the 37th minute.

The Buccaneers were presented with a golden chance to level the score just before the break when Saleng was fouled in the box. Mabasa, last season's Golden Boot winner with 16 goals, stepped up and confidently converted the penalty, ensuring both he and Pirates were on the scoresheet for the 2024-25 campaign.

The second half saw opportunities for both sides. Relebohile Mofokeng tested Nwabali with a shot in the 51st minute, while Chaine made an excellent save to deny Thabo Makhele's header in the 54th minute.

Saleng came agonizingly close to giving Pirates the lead in the 78th minute, hitting the right post from inside the area. Yet, he wasn't to be denied, as he found the net with a header in stoppage time, clinching a dramatic comeback victory for Jose Riveiro's side.