A much improved Orlando Pirates scored a goal in each half to sink a disappointing Sundowns 2-0 in a hard-fought Castle Premiership clash played at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace near Rustenburg on Saturday.
Pirates led 1-0 at half-time. Pirates, who moved their home ground to the plush Phokeng venue this season, have now scored two out of two wins in the league there.
Last Wednesday the Buccaneers battled to a 1-0 win over Manning Rangers in their long-delayed opening league fixture. But on Saturday they were always in control and deserved their three points.
Pirates always looked the more likely side to score, but had to wait until the 45th minute when magical midfielder Benedict Vilakazi, playing in a striking role, managed to steal behind Sundowns defender Craig Bianchi and stab home a through ball from a mishit Jimmy Kauleza shot.
The first half was not as exciting as anticipated, but that was partly due to the sweltering heat. Both sides were obviously trying to conserve their energy. Bucs goalkeeper Michel Babale did not have to make a save in the opening 45 minutes.
Bucs midfielder Hleza Mofedi came close with a terrific 25 metre drive in the 13th minute. Then 10 minutes later Sibusiso Mazibuko drove a shot wide of the Sundowns woodwork.
Downs battled to get going in the heat and rarely tested the Bucs defence, which was well marshalled by skipper Mbulelo Mabizela.
A great strike on the run from Bucs’ busy left-sided midfielder Lucky Lekgwathi brought out the best in Downs ‘keeper Filemon Kanalelo in the 38th minute.
Then with the Downs players dropping their guard as half-time approached. they paid the penalty. But it was great thinking from Vilakazi, who sneaked behind Bianchi and kept running from an onside position and managed to toe home Kauleza’s miscued pass-cum-shot to give the home side their 1-0 lead at the break.
Mofedi shot wide from a Mazibuko cross in the 58th minute.Then two minutes later it was Babale’s turn to make a match-winning save when the Democratic Republic of Congo international ‘keeper brilliantly palmed away a blistering shot from Daniel Mudau for a corner.
Mudau did well to pounce onto a pass from Carlo Scott and hit the ball with a first-time rocket that the ‘keeper managed to turn round his post. From the corner ‘Downs new Zambian international defender Sashi Chalwe ballooned over the crossbar from inside the Bucs’ penalty area.
At the other end Kanalelo also showed his agility when the ever dangerous Mofedi latched onto substitute Lesley Manyathela’s through ball and forced the former Namibian international to make another great save in the 68th minute.
Manyathela wrapped up the victory seven minutes from time when he capitalised on a mistake by Bianchi who failed to clear the ball and the Bafana Bafana striker was able to tap home from close range to make it 2-0. – Sapa