Orlando Pirates beat Mamelodi Sundowns
Posted: 12 February 2011 Time: 22:19
Orlando Pirates beat Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in a League clash on Saturday night.
The Pirates goals were scored by Katlego Mashego and Thulasizwe Mbuyane while Mabhudi Khenyeza pulled one back for Sundowns.
Pirates almost opened the scoring after just three minutes of play, with Andile Jali playing a great ball to hand Katlego Mashego a one-on-one chance with Wayne Sandilands, but the goalkeeper came up with a fine save.
Yet ten minutes later Mashego did get the better of Sandilands, this time from the penalty spot. The pace of Tlou Segolela drew a rash challenge from Method Mwanjali and referee Buyile Gqubule awarded the hosts a spot kick. Mashego converted the penalty with cool efficiency to make it 1-0 in the 13th minute.
The Brazilians’ troubled start to the game continued in the 18th minute when Lebohang Mokoena, running onto the ball in a dangerous attacking position, pulled up with a hamstring injury. Mabhuti Khenyeza replaced him a few minutes later.
Yet Sundowns gradually began to take control of the midfield battle and dominated the last 20 minutes of the first half, even though they weren’t able to create many scoring chances.
The best opportunity went the way of Nyasha Mushekwi, who beat Moeneeb Josephs to a ball outside of the penalty area but was unable to direct a shot on target from a difficult angle.
The visitors growing confidence was cut short in the final minute of regulation time in the first half when the home side went 2-0 up. Pirates worked the ball to Clifford Ngobeni from a corner kick and the midfielder played in a teasing cross that allowed Thulasizwe Mbuyane to score with a looping header over Sandilands.
Despite their two-goal deficit, Sundowns started the second half confidently and dominated proceedings right through to the final whistle. However, they found Pirates’ defence very difficult to break down, with Man of the Match Rooi Mahamutsa simply immense at the back, while Moeneeb Josephs also made some excellent saves.
It seemed as if the Brazilians would never breach the home team’s backline but almost out of nowhere they pulled one back in the 79th minute. A short corner kick routine saw Pelembe play a cross to the near post and Khenyeza provided the finishing touch with a clever flick on the outside of his right foot.
Bucs were well and truly on the back foot by this stage and just before the end of regulation time they were reduced to ten men, with Segolela shown a second yellow card for time-wasting and duly sent off.
Nearly eight minutes of additional time was played in a breathless end to the game in which Pirates packed their penalty area and resorted to little other than desperate kicks upfield, but their defence held firm and they clung on for a 2-1 victory.
HOME: Orlando Pirates
- 16 Moeneeb Josephs
- 4 Happy Jele
- 14 Lucky Lekgwathi
- 15 Ruben Cloete
- 44 Rooi Mahamutsa
- 5 Andile Jali
82 mins - Phenyo Mongala - 6 Clifford Ngobeni
- 13 Tlou Segolela
- 35 Isaac Chansa
- 20 Thulasizwe Mbuyane
90 mins - Robyn Johannes - 43 Katlego E. Mashego
83 mins - Patrick Malokase
AWAY: Mamelodi Sundowns
- 40 Wayne Sandilands
- 4 Thapelo Tshilo
- 5 Siyanda Xulu
- 13 Innocent Mdledle
- 17 Method Mwanjali
- 3 Esrom Nyandoro
- 6 Matthew Pattison
- 7 Elias Pelembe
- 8 Surprise Moriri
57 mins - Teko Modise - 18 Lebohang Mokoena
23 mins - Mabhuti Khenyeza - 30 Nyasha Mushekwi
Previous comments on this story...
Enhle-Becca,
Became Khosi by Birth,
Remain Khosi by SMART CHOICE
The second goal, Mdledle is to blame, for not checking behind him, it was carelessness, and Xulu played Mbuyane onside, we got punished. one other thing is that Pirates lack sportsmanship, their time wasting is very blatabt and annoying to say the least. Moeneeb deserves credit for the way he played, also Mahamutsa. With ten games to go, I see Pirates taking the league, unless they also do what we did, throwing away a healthy lead at the top. We outplayed them, they outscored us, which was the most important factor.
Lastly, this guy Brian Mathe on SS4, very poor commentary. Every foil for him is "a poor poor tackle by so snd so"
Every missed chance " a poor poor attempt by so and so"
"a poor poor clearance by so and so"
Is there no better commentator out there?
i am still embarrased about the sportmanship around Pirates players especially Mashego _Homeboy u stupid nigga
Sundowns relax and just plan for next season or eye the Nedbank cup eish Pirates might win it as well. We have been to all the finals this season.
We may have lost to tittle cintenders but there are 10 more games to play and looking at the chances we are creating I would advise all those doubting Thomases to rethink their stance.
This is the last comment I will make before the end of the season:
After the 25th round of the current season, either Downs or Ajax will be toppign the log standings.
At the end of the current PSL season, Sundowns will be crowned champions of the PSL.
Others will says I am dreaming or disilusioned. Well, my basis is that I have watched Downs play and their gane has improved a great deal.
Pirates will struggle to create chances without Sox.
Looking at the way bucs have been playing and source of their goals, I can safely say they will not win more than one of the next three games.
I will make my next comment when congratulating Downs at the end of the season.
Pirates has won more games without Sox, Mayambela and Mongala are there, also Drogba Ndulula is the new kid on the blog.
Sundowns must just prepare for next season.
No individualism in Orlando Pirates camp as the reason sundowns knelt and worshipped the CHAMPS.
OPERATION ONE GAME AT THE TIME & 100% BEHIND KROLL.
Total football is a song in Orlando Pirates camp.
Matumi: I am hoping do not have stress any more as told you about total football.
26/02/2011 is our celebration.