Orlando Pirates reclaimed second spot in the DStv Premiership following their 2-1 victory over TS Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday.

Hotto scored in the 58th minute at a stadium in the northeastern city of Mbombela that had 45,000 people in it. He scored from close range after two Pirates players won two headers after a corner.

Terrence Dzvukamanja, a Zimbabwean, put the Buccaneers ahead just two minutes after the game began. He was the first player to react to a corner and headed the ball past goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi.

Galaxy tied the game in the 39th minute when captain Spiwe Msimango headed the ball over a defender who was guarding the far post after a corner kick.

Even though they were on the road, most of the fans cheered for the Pirates. They had most of the ball for most of the game, but the Galaxy made a late comeback.

Mamelodi Sundowns won their sixth straight league title on April 1, leaving Pirates, SuperSport United, and Kaizer Chiefs to fight for second place and the other Champions League spot.

After beating Galaxy, Pirates now have 49 points with three rounds left. They are two points ahead of SuperSport and five points ahead of Chiefs, who are their biggest rivals.

Most likely, Pirates will finish in second place, and the match between SuperSport and Chiefs in the penultimate round will decide third place and who gets to play in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Galaxy are still in 12th place, five points above the danger zone, even though they haven’t won in four games.

Photo by Jana Kotze/BackpagePix