Orlando Pirates held off a late charge from fellow title chasers Mamelodi Sundowns to retain their place at the top of the Absa Premiership standings with a 2-1 win at Orlando Stadium on Saturday night.
The hosts showed their intent from the start, with Katlego Mashego taking the first shot within two minutes of the opening whistle.
Sundowns goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands stormed out as the last line of defence and did well to deflect Mashego’s effort, but 10 minutes later he was left floundering as Bucs stole the lead.
Method Mwanjali was booked for an unfair challenge on Tlou Segolela in the area, and Mashego made no mistake from the penalty spot to put his team ahead.
Neither side had another shot on target until the 45th minute when Clifford Ngobeni sent in a well-placed cross and Thulasizwe Mbuyane ran into space to find the back of the net with a clinical header.
Sundowns pushed forward after the break and pulled one back in the 79th minute when Mabhudi Khenyeza connected with a Richard Heynekane corner, flicking it in at the near post.
Pirates coach Ruud Krol said he was pleased his players had managed to keep their heads with Downs fighting desperately for the equaliser.
“At that moment we lost concentration and a team like Sundowns has the ability to kill you in that moment,” said Krol.
‘But our goalkeeper [Moeneeb Josephs] worked hard tonight and we got the three points, which is what we came for.”
In his first game against his former club, Sundowns midfielder Teko Modise, who made a controversial move from Pirates last month after being suspended for missing training, was booed by the Bucs supporters at their Soweto stronghold.
Modise, however, said the chants hadn’t bothered him and gave credit to his former side.
“I expected that,” he said. “It’s part of the game and think I’m mature enough to get through this.
“Today was a difficult game and they took two good chances and scored.
“In a big game like this you have to take your opportunities, and that’s what they did today.”
Pirates bagged their sixth straight win to stay four points ahead of Ajax Cape Town at the top of the standings.
Downs clung to third position, but were only two points ahead of fourth-placed Kaizer Chiefs who have two games in hand. – Sapa