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Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates beat Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in this afternoon’s ABSA Premiership encounter at the Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe Stadium in Pretoria.
The match got off to a quiet start with the sides sharing possession. Neither side created any clear cut goal scoring opportunities in the opening 20 minutes as both keepers were yet to be tested.
With so much quality and talent on the field the match got off to a sloppy start. Both sides were battling to hang onto possession and were failing to pass the ball fluently.
The Buccaneers began to find to their feet as they put the Brazilians under slight pressure but Matthew Booth stood firm and broke down multiple Pirate attacks.
With half an hour played the match remained in the balance as the teams were tentative to go forward and attack.
Thulasizwe Mbuyane opened the scoring in the 34th minute with a thunderous strike from way outside the area, leaving Calvin Marlin no chance. After a relatively slow start to this game a goal was exactly what this encounter required.
Franklin Cale came close to finding an equaliser in the 40th minute but his swerving free kick was well saved by Moeneeb Josephs.
Mbuyane scored his brace in the 45th minute to put Pirates 2-0 up going into the half time interval. Andile Jali cut through the Sundowns defence and pulled the ball back to Mbuyane who slotted the ball into an empty net.
The second-half began with Sundowns seeking revenge. Substitute Mabhuti Khenyeza made an instant impact as he hit the cross bar in the 51st minute. The Bucs defence failed to clear and allowed Khenyeza too much space.
The Buccaneers had a chance to seal the game in the 56th minute. Mbuyane found himself one on one with Marlin but the keeper did well and snatched the ball from his feet, denying him his hat trick.
The Brazilians were denied a penalty in the 73rd minute as Khenyeza went down in the area but the referee opted to yellow card Khenyeza for simulation.
Booth came close to pulling one back for the home side as he found himself free in the area. His strike went just over the bar in the 77th minute.
With 10 minutes to play Ruud Krol changed his tactic as his side went defensive and in an attempt to protect their two goal lead.
Khenyeza pulled a goal back for Sundowns in the 89th minute. The ball was pulled back into the area and Khenyeza found himself with acres of space as he smashed the ball into the back of the net.
The Happy People found themselves under pressure as six minutes of extra-time was signalled by the third referee.
Pirates managed to hang on as the match ended 2-1 in their favour. The visitors thoroughly deserved the victory.
The match got off to a quiet start with the sides sharing possession. Neither side created any clear cut goal scoring opportunities in the opening 20 minutes as both keepers were yet to be tested.
With so much quality and talent on the field the match got off to a sloppy start. Both sides were battling to hang onto possession and were failing to pass the ball fluently.
The Buccaneers began to find to their feet as they put the Brazilians under slight pressure but Matthew Booth stood firm and broke down multiple Pirate attacks.
With half an hour played the match remained in the balance as the teams were tentative to go forward and attack.
Thulasizwe Mbuyane opened the scoring in the 34th minute with a thunderous strike from way outside the area, leaving Calvin Marlin no chance. After a relatively slow start to this game a goal was exactly what this encounter required.
Franklin Cale came close to finding an equaliser in the 40th minute but his swerving free kick was well saved by Moeneeb Josephs.
Mbuyane scored his brace in the 45th minute to put Pirates 2-0 up going into the half time interval. Andile Jali cut through the Sundowns defence and pulled the ball back to Mbuyane who slotted the ball into an empty net.
The second-half began with Sundowns seeking revenge. Substitute Mabhuti Khenyeza made an instant impact as he hit the cross bar in the 51st minute. The Bucs defence failed to clear and allowed Khenyeza too much space.
The Buccaneers had a chance to seal the game in the 56th minute. Mbuyane found himself one on one with Marlin but the keeper did well and snatched the ball from his feet, denying him his hat trick.
The Brazilians were denied a penalty in the 73rd minute as Khenyeza went down in the area but the referee opted to yellow card Khenyeza for simulation.
Booth came close to pulling one back for the home side as he found himself free in the area. His strike went just over the bar in the 77th minute.
With 10 minutes to play Ruud Krol changed his tactic as his side went defensive and in an attempt to protect their two goal lead.
Khenyeza pulled a goal back for Sundowns in the 89th minute. The ball was pulled back into the area and Khenyeza found himself with acres of space as he smashed the ball into the back of the net.
The Happy People found themselves under pressure as six minutes of extra-time was signalled by the third referee.
Pirates managed to hang on as the match ended 2-1 in their favour. The visitors thoroughly deserved the victory.
