Menzi Magubane
Mamelodi Sundowns are beating the Soweto giants for fun of late.
Two weeks ago it was Kaizer Chiefs and on Saturday afternoon Orlando Pirates had their turn against the league champions at Orlando Stadium.
Downs beat the Bucs 2-0 to increase their point tally to 13 on top of the DStv Premiership table after five matches.
Current PSL Player of the season Peter Shalulile scored both goals in the second half.
Buccaneers were guilty of careless defending and they seemed to crack whenever Sundowns were attacking. In the first half Pirates looked like they could be getting something from this match.
They had everything under control despite Downs pilling the pressure. So, the goalless scoreline in the first half was a fair one for the Buccaneers.
In the second half however, it was a totally different game. Pirates started to crack under pressure and Downs exploited the spaces at the back.
The first goal was a result of a good build up in the middle of the park by Downs.
The one touch passes opened up Pirates with a cross coming from Thabiso Kutumela and Shalulile came with a classy finish in the 54th minute.
Straight from that goal, Sundowns started to dominate and Pirates were just following orders from them. Second goal came from a mistake from the Bucs defenders.
They lost the ball right outside their big box. Goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshana was left exposed with defenders’ ball watching when Shalulile came flying to finish the ball crossed by Lyle Lakay in the 72nd minute.
The defeat was the Bucs first of the season after five games. As for reigning Premiership champions, they remain unbeaten together with their neighbors SuperSport United and Stellenbosch.
Sundowns next match will be on Tuesday against Golden Arrows, who drew 1-1 with Sekhukhune United on Saturday, in the MTN8 semi-final second leg.
The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw and on Tuesday there must be a winner to play in the final with either Swallows or Cape Town City.
Image source:@OfficialPSL
