Orlando Pirates delivered a spirited performance to walk off with a 2-1 victory in their Betway Premiership encounter with Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It’s a victory that brought the Soweto Giants, who have another four games in hand, closer to their Tshwane counterparts on the points table. It also ended a lengthy Premiership drought as the hosts bagged their first league win over the team in yellow in five seasons.
Back at the iconic venue for another massive home game, Pirates could not have asked for a better start as they went two ahead inside the opening five minutes. Relebohile Mofokeng was the hero on both occasions, benefiting from some excellent work from Deano van Rooyen and Evidence Makgopa on the right flank before firing past Ronwen Williams in the fourth minute. He doubled his tally a minute later, this time pouncing on an opportunity afforded to him by sloppy defensive work from the visitors as he made it 2-0.
Plenty was demanded from the Bucs defence in the moments following their second goal as the visitors looked to claw their way back into the contest. Makhehleni Makhaula was on hand to deny Khuliso Mudau while Mbekezile Mbokazi had the upper hand in duels with Iqraam Rayners and Aubrey Modiba.
Sundowns’ best chances of the first half came through set pieces as Grant Kekana struck the upright with a header from close range before Lucas Ribeiro went inches over the crossbar with a similar effort. The Brazilian attacker then went just wide from a free kick taken right in front of the Pirates goal on the half-hour mark.
Opportunities were however not confined to one end with the hosts finding a few just as the break approached. Deon Hotto forced a save off Williams with a shot from a tight angle before Mofokeng followed suit with an attempt taken from in front of the Sundowns goal. The youngster had another go moments before the break as he looked to complete his hat-trick, but the shot-stopper was again equal to the task.
Some late attempts from Peter Shalulile threatened to reduce the Buccaneers’ lead as halftime loomed. The Namibian forward twice misfired, going well wide with a header from a corner before producing a shot that drifted narrowly off target.
The Tshwane Giants resumed their bid to claw their way back, and enjoyed the better of the early opportunities in the second half. Wayward attempts from Rayners and Teboho Mokoena were however all they could offer initially, while Sipho Chaine had to command his area in the face of a Modiba cross around the hour mark.
Sundowns’ persistence paid off in the 66th minute when a lapse in concentration gave Mudau a one-on-one chance against the Bucs keeper, with the defender coming out tops as he made it 2-1.
This set up an awkward finish from the home side’s perspective, with the Brazilians not letting up. Arthur Sales was in the centre of their latter attacks, thwarted by the offside flag at first before drifting wide with an attempt from outside the box.
Pirates were feeding off scraps at this point, making the odd surge into the Sundowns penalty area. Their defensive shape continued to be tested as they had to deal with a couple of last-gasp attempts from Mokoena.
Sheer determination prevailed at the end, with the Soweto Giants clinging on to their slim lead. Their victory kept them firmly in the race for the league title, while maintaining a near-perfect record at home in the ongoing season.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Xoki, Sibisi, Van Rooyen, Mbokazi, Mbatha (Mosele 76’), Makhaula, Dlamini (Mako 62’), Hotto (Shandu 87’), Mofokeng (Nkota 76’), Makgopa (Radiopane 76’).
