Gonzalez strikes again: Cape Town City stun Orlando Pirates to shake up PSL title race

Orlando Pirates faltered in their bid to climb to the top of the Betway Premiership table, falling 1-0 to Cape Town City in a tense encounter at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday night.

With the defeat, Jose Riveiro's Buccaneers remain on 27 points, three behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played the same number of matches (11).

The match highlighted Pirates' inconsistency, as their potent attack failed to break down a resolute City defence, leaving them to rue missed opportunities in a title race that grows increasingly competitive.

For Cape Town City, the victory marked a significant milestone under the leadership of Muhsin Ertugral, who took over as interim head coach and technical director after Eric Tinkler's departure on New Year's Eve.

The win was their second in just four days, following a triumph over Kaizer Chiefs, completing an impressive Soweto double.

Once flirting with relegation, the Citizens have now risen to sixth on the table with 17 points from 12 matches, showcasing a rejuvenated fighting spirit under Ertugral's guidance.

FT | Thanks for visiting Cape Town, Sowetans ??#iamCityFC pic.twitter.com/kw304Le1U7

A quarter into the fixture, Thalente Mbatha finally had space to unleash not one but two strikes that had the Buccaneer faithful vibrating the arena into song.

The Bafana Bafana midfielder sparked by lacing the ball just outside the box as City looked clueless for a moment in defence, with only Darren Keet alert as he palmed the ball onto the upright.

The ball somehow found Thalente again after the ricochet, and he had another go, this time from an acute angle that grazed the side netting as he cupped his hands over his face in disbelief.

Pirates continued to pepper City with attack after attack, as