Mamelodi Sundowns opened a nine-point lead at the top of the Betway Premiership table after thrashing Orlando Pirates 4-1 on Saturday evening.
Betway Premiership
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 4-1 Orlando Pirates
Date: 08 February 2025
Venue: Loftus Versfeld
The Buccaneers without Thabiso Sesane and Thalente Mbatha, who played all previous 13 league matches this season as Kabelo Dlamini and Thapelo Xoki were recalled.For the home side, Tashreeq Matthews was surprisingly dropped to the bench as Iqraam Rayners partnered Peter Shalulile in the attack while new signing Lucas Suarez made his first start in place of Malibongwe Khoza.
The Brazilians got off to a perfect start in the first via a set-piece as Marcelo Allende's free-kick found an un-marked Grant Kekana, who side-footed in off the crossbar, with the assistant referee confirming the ball had crossed the line.
While Pirates struggled to carve out chances, Sundowns went on to bag a second goal in the 26th minute as Lucas Costa Ribeiro picked the ball up in his own and raced towards the Pirates box before firing into the bottom corner.
The Buccaneers, meanwhile, were second best for the entirety of the opening 45 minutes as Sundowns' press game forced their opponents into a number of errors and misplaced passes.
The visitors made a promising start to the second half and pulled one goal back ten minutes in when Deon Hotto combined with Evidence Makgopa before unleashing a right-footed strike that deflected pass Ronwen Williams.
That joy did not last long as Sundowns restored their two-goal advantage in the 58th minute when Rayners latched onto a ball over the top before teeing up Ribeiro, who placed the ball into the far corner for his ninth league goal of the season.
The Buccaneers did look to refresh their stall for the final 20 minutes, as head coach Jose Riveiro withdrew Makhehlene Makhaula and Makgopa for Mohua Nkota and Tshegofatso Mabasa.
However, Sundowns ended any hopes of a Pirates comeback after Teboho Mokoena was afforded time and space to find the back of the net with a superb strike from distance that left Chaine with no chance.
The win sees Sundowns move nine points clear of second-place Pirates, who have played a game less.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: 30. Williams, 4. Mokoena, 44. Adams, 20. Kekana, 32. Suarez, 10. Ribeiro, 11. Allende, 6. Modiba, 27. Morena, 9. Rayners, 38. Shalulile
Subs: 1. Onyango, 5. Lebusa, 41. Khoza, 31. Tiwani, 37. Johannes, 19. Aubaas, 21. Mkhulise, 33. Maseko, 77. Matthews
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 27. Xoki, 5. Sibisi, 3. Van Rooyen, 29. Mako, 8. Makhaula, 18. Dlamini, 28. Maswanganyi, 7. Hotto, 38. Mofokeng, 17. Makgopa
Subs: 35. Buthelezi, 34. Ndlozi, 33. Nkota, 31. Rasebotja, 26. Shandu, 25. Kimvuidi, 23. Maela, 19. Mabasa, 15. Ndlondlo
