Relebohile Mofokeng struck a quick-fire double early on as Orlando Pirates defeated Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in a top-of-the-table Betway Premiership match at FNB Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The result sees the Buccaneers close the gap to the Brazilians to 15 points, as well as avenge a 4-1 loss suffered at the hands of their opponents just over a month ago.
With the Soweto side holding four games in hand, there is at least a glimmer of hope that a push for the title could still be on for the men in black and white.
Pirates got off to a flying start, putting themselves 2-0 up within the opening five minutes thanks to a brace of well-taken goals from Relebohile Mofokeng.
The first was as a result of fine play from Evidence Makgopa down the right flank, as the striker powered free of the defence before providing a perfectly-placed square pass for Mofokeng to turn home at close range.
The second goal, just 70 seconds later, was mainly thanks to sloppy defending from Sundowns, with Mofokeng able to get off a shot from the edge of the penalty area which hit the inside of the post before bouncing into the back of the net.
Sundowns took some time to find a rhythm after the early one-two punch, but they nearly pulled one back in the 21st minute when Grant Kekana had a glancing header from Teboho Mokoena’s corner kick, and struck the far post.
The visitors had further chances through the remainder of the first half, with Lucas Ribeiro notably whipping a shot direct from a free kick just wide after the half-hour mark, while Peter Shalulile blazed a volley high and wide from an Iqraam Rayners cross a few minutes before the interval.
READ: Rayners driving Sundowns to silverware
Shalulile made way at the start of the second half, as the Brazilians introduced Arthur Sales off the bench.
Sundowns dominated the second half and were rewarded with a goal in the 66th minute, as Rayners played a fine cross to pick out Khuliso Mudau’s late run, and the wing-back was able to stab a shot past goalkeeper Sipho Chaine to bring his team back into the game.
However, that was as good as it got for the men in yellow and blue, with the Buccaneers able to hold firm under late pressure and secure a key victory.
The teams are scheduled to return to Premiership action in early April, with Sundowns at home to Stellenbosch FC on Saturday, 5 April, and Pirates away to Polokwane City the following day.
– Edited match report from PSL website
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images