Marumo Gallants deals Orlando Pirates a huge blow in Betway Premiership title aspirations.

The gap grows as the opportunity begins to fade.

The loss puts a dent in Pirates' title aspirations as they fail to cut the 18-point gap to Mamelodi Sundowns while Gallants secure crucial maximum points in their relegation battle.

Orlando Pirates came into the contest with one notable change, with Spanish coach Jose Riveiro missing from the dugout following his suspension after picking up his fourth yellow card of the season against Cape Town City last weekend to be relegated to the stands. 

Against a side that has also been flirting with relegation for as long as they have acquired their top flight status, assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi returned to a seat he is not too unfamiliar with, and the opportunity to cut down the lead that is gaining momentum and slowly getting out of control was up for grabs in a city famous for its roses.

And as we waved goodbye to the month of love, the home side were not in a giving mood and certainly not any roses as they shaked off the loss of goalkeeper Washington Arubi early in the first half to put the visitors through their paces.

Compact in defense and sharp in attack, Siwelele sa Marumo had their new mentor Abdeslam Ouaddou on the bench following the sacking of Dan Malesela and whether or not their spirited start to the match had something to do with their new coach, can only be left to the imagination.

Gallants dared to throw caution to the wind and as the Bucaneers were feeling themselves into the contest, the homeside delivered a blow that not only sent shockwaves into the sold-out crowd but left a lot of questions to be answered in the league title chase.

A Christopher Sithole 15th minute cross from well outside the area was perfectly weighted and had the direction to locate former Pirates man Gabadinho Mhango, who did justice to the delivery with his depth first touch, leaving him with only Sipho Chaine to beat and his emphatic finish  delivered a punch to the souls of those that used to adore him.

Pacing through the technical area, both coaches were very vocal, barking out instructions and sitting helpless but hopeful in the stands. Riveiro could do very little as his side piled pressure into the home side to no avail as Gallants remained an unmovable force that was just impossible to penetrate.

With minutes ticking by, Pirates were fuelled by desperation and they committed numbers forward and off their own attack, Masindi Nemtajela forced Thalente Mbatha into an own goal and Gallants secured a 74th-minute winner that could prove to be decisive in both halves of the table .

It was a perfectly executed revenge plan following their 8-1 defeat away at the Orlando Stadium on Christmas Eve, and as the light at the end of the tunnel begins to fade with the Sea Robbers now facing a daunting 18-point gap to secure the top step, the opportunity may have just come a touch soon for the Bucaneers as they now face a steep road ahead to secure the prized trophy.