Mamelodi Sundowns further solidified their grip on the Betway Premiership title race with a dominant 4-1 victory over league rivals Orlando Pirates.
The win was not only a significant result in terms of points but also served as a powerful statement of their intent to retain the league title.
With the victory, Sundowns extend their lead at the top of the table, now sitting on 42 points after 15 matches, a commanding nine points ahead of second-placed Pirates, who are on 33 points. The result was a major morale booster for the defending champions as they continue their pursuit of another successful season, while it dealt a disappointing blow to Pirates’ hopes of closing the gap on the league leaders.
From the outset, Sundowns were clinical and dominant, setting the tone early in the match. Grant Kekana put them ahead with an early goal, sending the home crowd into raptures. The Brazilians didn’t let up, and in the 27th minute, Lucas Ribeiro doubled their lead, making it 2-0.
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Sundowns’ commanding first-half display left Pirates struggling to find a way back into the game, and the result was never truly in doubt as they controlled possession and dictated the pace of play throughout.
Ribeiro scored his brace in the second half, while Teboho Mokoena sealed the game with a beautiful goal, leaving the Buccaneers with no chance of a comeback.
Pirates tried to devise a plan to get back into the game by playing promising passes going forward, but things just weren’t going their way, with many of their chances going to waste.
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The opening minutes of the game seemed to be open for both teams, but it was Sundowns who broke the deadlock in the 13th minute, with Grant Kekana putting his side ahead from a set-piece.
Downs took charge of the game and almost got a third goal through Lucas Suarez, but Bucs goalkeeper Sipho Chaine made a good save.
In the second half, Pirates were desperate to get a goal, and their prayers were answered when Hotto pulled one back to make it 2-1 in the 57th minute, giving the visitors hope of staging a comeback.
But Sundowns were eager to win the game, and Ribeiro registered his brace two minutes later. Mokoena then made it 4-1 with a scorching goal in the 78th minute.
From then on, Sundowns took full control of the game, and they could have scored more goals, while Pirates’ efforts to come back were futile.