ABSA Premiership
Result: Pirates 0-1 Sundowns
Date: 11 May 2013
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Mamelodi Sundowns brought an end to Orlando Pirates' title chase while boosting their own top eight hopes with a 1-0 win at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Both sides rattled the woodwork in the opening 45 minutes, but Pirates would be most disappointed after creating some good chances.
The opening minutes saw both sides settling into their game but Collins Mbesuma soon showed his intentions with a shot that rolled just wide of the target.
Pirates then thought that they had opened the scoring when Happy Jele made a fantastic run on the flank before picking out Oupa Manyisa with a low cross. His initial attempt was blocked but the ball came back and he lifted his second shot against the crossbar.
Wayne Sandialnds continued to be the busier of the two goalkeepers, and though Senzo Meyiwa didn't have much to do - he would watch the ball smash into his crossbar when Wayne Arendse nodded at goal from a corner.
Mbesuma tried to catch Sandilands out at his near post when he was given far too much time inside the area late in the half but the stopper dealt with the attempt easily as the game went into the break locked at 0-0.
The second period would prove to be a scrappy affair as both sides struggled to keep up the pace. Mbesuma had an early chance just after the restart but Sundowns managed to keep him out.
Richard Henyekane then used his pace to race toward a ball over the top at the other end but Meyiwa was alert and raced out to smother the chance.
The Sea Robbers finally came back to life in the 85th minute when Jele swung a cross to the far post where Manyisa side-footed it back into the centre but it was just too high and the chance was cleared.
Lucky Lekgwathi was found at the far post with two minutes to go but his header was directed wide and Sundowns would go on to snatch a result in stoppage time.
Alje Schut was picked out by a curling cross to the far post where he finished with a superb diving header.
Pirates tried to respond quickly with Sandilands having to keep out a shot from the edge of the area straight from the restart but there was not enough time for the hosts as Sundowns grabbed the win.
The result means that Pirates cannot defend their crown, while Golden Arrows beat Platinum Stars at the same time which ensures that a point for Chiefs in their final two games will be enough for them to claim the title.
Pirates: Senzo Meyiwa, Rooi Mahamutsa, Lucky Lekgwathi, Happy Jele, Patrick Phungwayo, Khethokwakhe Masuku, Oupa Manyisa, Daine Klate, Thandani Ntshumayelo, Onyekachi Okonkwo, Collins Mbesuma.
Sundowns: Wayne Sandilands, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Alje Schut, Wayne Arendse, Thamsanqa Sangweni, Elias Pelembe, Hlompo Kekana, Tsholofelo Modise, Nyasha Mushekwi, Richard Henyekane, Tebogo Langerman.
