Drama unfolded at the Loftus stadium on Sunday when a nine-man Orlando Pirates side held on to beat Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in a Premier Soccer League match.
Edward Malinga received his marching orders after tripping Raphael Chuwku, while Gift Leremi was red-carded for arguing with the assistant referee.
Earlier, Sundowns’ defender Neil Winstanely scored his side’s first goal, reducing Downs’ deficit to 2-1 in the 70th minute.
Pirates had taken the lead in the 22nd minute via Phumudzo Manenzhe after heading home a cross from Benedict Vialakazi.
The Buccaneers, who gave Downs hell from the start of the game, went 2-0 up in the 32nd minute. Edelberth Dinha finished off a Manenzhe attempt from Pirates’ third corner, after Manenzhe’s tap appeared to have crossed the line but it was mysteriously cleared and the ball rolled into the path of Dinha.
Malinga was booked for an infringement in the 45th minute.
Pirates, who led 2-0 at half-time, continued with their foraging runs spearheaded by Leremi, Tyron Arendse, Joseph Makhanya and Benedict Vilakazi.
Sundowns introduced Chukwu for Vuyo Mere in the 46th minute and Tebogo Mokoena came on for Sashi Chalwe in the 57th.
Then Malinga was sent off and Sundowns immediately took advantage of their numerical superiority and began raiding Pirates’ backyard. But the Bucanneers’ rearguard were equal to the task.
Pirates goalkeeper Francis Chansa was yellow carded for delaying tactics in the 68th minute.
Sundowns then won their second corner and from a well-taken kick by Clement Mazibuko, Winstanely nodded home past Chansa in the 70th minute.
Leremi confronted Ncobo’s assistant and questioned his judgement for allowing the goal and was immediately despatched for an early shower
Sundowns, the hosts of this electrifying game, then mounted attack after attack and camped inside Pirates’ half, but were unable to take advantage.
Tempers flared and striker Peter Ndlovu deliberately kicked Jimmy Tau from behind and was sent off in the 77th minute.
The frustrated Pirates’ fans, who saw red when two of their players were sent off, could not hide their relief when Ncobo blew the whistle. Pirates have not only cemented their number one spot on the PSL table with 22 points, but also retained their unblemished record of six wins and four draws from 10 matches.
Second-placed Sundowns now have 19 points, and have tasted their first loss from the same number of matches.
Pirates showed their eagerness to avenge their 3-1 defeat by Sundowns last week. They played like men possessed and their attitude paid dividends. – Sapa