Makgopa also had an inadvertent hand in the second goal, scored by Patrick Maswanganyi, as he rose to challenge for a cross along with Stellenbosch goalkeeper Sage Stephens, with both missing the ball as it nestled in the net.
It was a first start for Makgopa in almost two months after Yanela Mbuthuma had instead been preferred, much to the surprise of many, including Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos.
Broos intends to take Makgopa to the 2026 World Cup and will hope his goal leads to a run of starts in Pirates’ final three games of the season to keep him match sharp.
Both play as traditional number nine strikers, looking to hold up the ball and bring others into play, with Mbuthuma perhaps the more mobile of the two, but Makgopa better in the air.
So who has the better numbers this season? We provide a comparison.
Goals scored in all competitions this season
Makgopa: 7
Mbuthuma: 8
Mbuthuma has scored one more goal than Makgopa this campaign in all competitions, but that difference is as narrow as it can get. In terms of the league, which is what matters now for Pirates, Makgopa has six goals to Mbuthuma’s five. Both have featured in 21 games. Mbuthuma’s other three goals were all in the CAF Champions League.
Assists in all competitions this season
Makgopa: 3
Mbuthuma: 3
The players are level with three assists each, as much as Makgopa would like to claim one from the Stellenbosch game, as there is no doubt he put Stephens off. All three of his assists have come in the league, while two of Mbuthuma’s have been in the Betway Premiership to go with one in the Nedbank Cup.
Minutes played in all competitions this season
Makgopa: 1,352
Mbuthuma: 1,503
Mbuthuma has played more minutes than Makgopa in all competitions, including in the league. He has started 13 league games and come on in eight, while Makgopa has started 10 and come on in 11. Mbuthuma has played 151 more minutes this season.
Minutes per goal in all competitions this season
Makgopa: 193
Mbuthuma: 188
Mbuthuma edges it on this calculation, but not by much. He has scored a goal every 188 minutes on the pitch this season, and Makgopa every 193 minutes. However, if you break that down to league games only, Makgopa is comfortably better off, and that is what The Ghost are concerned with over the next few weeks. He has scored a goal every 156 minutes in the Betway Premiership and Mbuthuma every 221 minutes. That is a large gap.