Buccaneers make amends with memorable win over Sundowns

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Jan 13, 2018. 17:58

Orlando Pirates erased memories of the thumping defeat they suffered at Loftus Stadium last season, with a 3-1 win over Mamelodi Sundowns in an Absa Premiership clash at the same venue on Saturday afternoon.

Ntsikelelo Nyauza, Mpho Makola and Luvuyo Memela with the goals for the Sea Robbers who climb up to third place on the log standings as a result - five points off the Brazilians.

The Buccaneers hit the front as early as the second minute with Nyauza on hand to hammer home, after Sundowns failed to clear their lines from a neatly worked corner-kick.

Both teams came out guns blazing from the onset and having successfully navigated through a spell of pressure from the hosts, Pirates doubled their lead against the run of play.

Makola with a thumping finish from the edge of the area in the 18th minute, following a defensive blunder from Motjeka Madisha who coughed up possession in a dangerous position.

Pirates continued to create chances and should've added another in the 32nd minute, but Memela failed to hit the target with only Denis Onyango to beat.

He was made to rue the miss as Percy Tau pulled a goal back for the hosts. The forward with a left-footed finish following a defence-splitting pass Themba Zwane.

Pirates, though, were eager to add another before the break and went close to doing just that. Memela unlucky to see his shot canon off the crossbar on the cusp of half-time. The Sea Robbers well worth their lead at the interval.

Sundowns continued to dominate possession and territory, but found it difficult to break down a determined Pirates outfit.

When Anthony Laffor finally found a way in behind Buccaneers defensive-line in the 66th minute, the Liberia international could only succeed in blasting his shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

Memela duly put the game to bed with his third goal of the year. His persistence finally paying dividends as he hammered home past Onyango in the 83rd minute, who had no chance.

Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 1 (Tau 38')
Orlando Pirates (2) 3 (Nyauza 2' Makola 18' Memela 83')

Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango; Langerman, Madisha, Nascimento, S.Zwane (Makgalwa 82') - Kekana (Sekotlong 87'), Mabunda, Manyisa - Vilakaz (Laffor 60'), T.Zwane, Tau.

Orlando Pirates: Mabokgwane; Maela, Shitolo, Nyauza, Mobara, Dube - Makola (Munetsi 79'), Nyatama - Memela, Kutumela (Foster 89'), Shonga (Lorch 55').