Mamelodi Sundowns struck a key blow in the Betway Premiership title race by emphatically defeating rivals Orlando Pirates 4-1 at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
A brace of goals from the irrepressible Lucas Ribeiro added to Grant Kekana’s opener and Teboho Mokoena’s missile, as the Brazilians powered to a deserved triumph.
They have now opened a nine-point lead over the Buccaneers at the top of the table, having played a game more.
After a conservative start from both teams, Sundowns claimed the lead in the 14th minute through Grant Kekana.
The defender was picked out by a free kick delivery from Marcelo Allende and scored with a shot via the underside of the crossbar. The ball rebounded down off the woodwork and bounced over the goal line before spinning back into play, but the linesman correctly awarded the goal.
Fine minutes later the Brazilians had a chance to double their lead – again from a set piece, as a Teboho Mokoena corner kick picked out an unmarked Lucas Suarez, but the defender’s header was saved by goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
Watch: Mamelodi Sundowns v Orlando Pirates – Highlights
Sundowns’ Lucas Ribeiro then made it 2-0 in the 27th minute with a brilliant solo goal.
The Brazilian attacker picked up a loose ball inside his own half, and showed immense power and speed to outstrip the Pirates defence before providing an inch-perfect finish that nestled in the bottom corner of the net.
‘Downs almost made it 3-0 late in the first half, with Peter Shalulile denied by a sharp save at his near post by Chaine, while injury time saw Pirates’ first clear chance of the game, as Deon Hotto got on the end of a low cross from Paseka Mako, but skied his effort over the target.
The Buccaneers got themselves back into the match in the 57th minute, as Hotto exchanged passes with Evidence Makgopa before firing off a speculative shot that was probably heading well wide.
However, it took a wicked deflection off a Sundowns defender and looped beyond the reach of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams for 2-1.
In response, the Brazilians simply went up a couple of gears and restored a two-goal lead just before the hour mark, with Ribeiro sweeping home a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty area after good set-up play by Iqraam Rayners.
And on 78 minutes Sundowns added an exclamation point to a dominant and controlled performance, as Mokoena was allowed time and space to pick his spot from long range, and he duly fired a right-footed drive beyond the reach of Chaine for 4-1.
Sundowns will return to Premiership action in midweek, as they play away to TS Galaxy on Tuesday 11 February, while Pirates’ next league encounter is away to Golden Arrows on Wednesday 19 February.
©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix