The dust has settled at the FNB Stadium, and the Betway Premiership title race has been flipped on its head.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates didn’t just give them three points; it sent a massive shockwave through the South African topflight.
Read more: Brayan Leon Double Rocks Orlando Pirates and Revives Mamelodi Sundowns’ Chase
SBN brings you the top 5 talking points from a night where Bafana Ba Style proved they aren’t ready to vacate the throne.
1. The Brayan Leon Masterclass
While many fans and pundits expected the usual suspects to shine, it was Brayan Leon who stole the show. His clinical brace silenced The Ghost and proved he is the Sundowns’ big-game player.
Indeed, the first goal was a work of art – an inch perfect long ball from marquee signing Nuno Santos bypassed the entire Pirates backline and found Leon at the back post. The rest, as we so often say, is history.
2. O Captain! My Captain!
The spotlight is firmly on Orlando Pirates captain Nkosinathi Sibisi. After picking up an early booking, the Pirates defender looked like he was playing on eggshells.
On the second goal, it felt his hesitation was glaring and I fear the possibility of a second yellow card hindered him from making a decisive intervention to disrupt Downs hitman Leon.
3. Ouaddou’s Tactical Gamble
There was an uproar on social media, with fans of the Mighty Buccaneers’ questioning coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s decisions. Should the coach have subbed Mbuthuma earlier? Should Kamogelo Sebelebele have started (over Deano van Rooyen in) such an important fixture, a potential title decider? It looks like Ouaddou gambled on a breakthrough that never came …
4. The Offside Trap
It was painful to watch Orlando Pirates attackers getting caught offside time and time again. The likes of Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi and Yanela Mbuthuma were caught offside repeatedly. It raises the question: was this a masterclass in defensive line management by Sundowns’ veterans, or a total lack of experience from the Buccaneers’ strikers?
5. Is the Quadruple Dead?
Following successful quests in the MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup, the talk in and around Bucs supporter groups has been about the quadruple. After last night, that dream is hanging by a thread. What was once a comfortable lead for Pirates is now down to 3 points, with Masandawana holding a crucial game in hand over the Bucs.
Next Up
Both teams now shift their attention to this weekend’s Nedbank Cup action, but the title race has undoubtedly heated up. Mamelodi Sundowns travel to face TS Galaxy, before Orlando Pirates host Casric Stars.
The matches are scheduled for Saturday, 21 February 2026, kicking off at 15h00 and 18h00 respectively.