×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Sundowns now bottom of log

BEATEN: Siyabonga Sangweni of Orlando Pirates is left kicking the air as Mamelodi Sundowns' Jabulani Shongwe pips him to the ball during their league match at Loftus Stadium last night. PHOTO: ANTONIO MUCHAVE
BEATEN: Siyabonga Sangweni of Orlando Pirates is left kicking the air as Mamelodi Sundowns' Jabulani Shongwe pips him to the ball during their league match at Loftus Stadium last night. PHOTO: ANTONIO MUCHAVE

ORLANDO Pirates coach Roger de Sa was guarded against facing an "improving" Mamelodi Sundowns, but the Brazilians, who haven't won a league match since August 11, didn't even put up a fight.

Sundowns, record Premier League title holders, are now bottom of the Absa Premiership table following the 3-1 defeat to Pirates here last night, while the Buccaneers move to second on the table.

There was hardly a contest from Sundowns here as Pirates ran riot in the first half, scoring two well-worked goals in the 12th and 42nd minute. They added a third in the dying stages of the game, making this an emphatic victory.

The home side finally managed to score in the league for the first time since September 2, but the goal from substitute Edward Manqele only served as a consolation.

Takesure Chinyama set up strike partner Thulasizwe Mbuyane for the Buccaneers' opening goal and got one himself minutes before half time after being cleverly put through by Sifiso Myeni.

Myeni sealed his star performance with a classy goal in the 83rd minute, making sure that, regardless of club president Patrice Motsepe's staunch support for Johan Neeskens, the dreaded axe hangs over the coach's head.

It was no surprise that Mbuyane got his name on the score-sheet. Putting goals past Sundowns goalkeepers is a hobby for the "Juju man", as he is affectionately known by The Ghost.

For Chinyama, the way in which he took his second goal of the season told of the quality of the strikers Pirates have acquired this season. The Zimbabwean started ahead of Collins Mbesuma, who, despite having been on-form lately, took his spot on the bench.

An air of hope preceded this encounter for Sundowns, with the two teams experiencing different fortunes in the Telkom Knockout quarterfinals at the weekend.

Sundowns progressed to the semifinals by beating AmaZulu, but Pirates' Cup journey came to an end as they surrendered their title by losing to Bloemfontein Celtic.

De Sa's worry over taking on Sundowns smacked only of gamesmanship. Neeskens men were still searching for their second win of the season and hadn't scored in eight hours of league football ahead of this match.

  • Bloemfontein Celtic were brought back to earth last night when Maritzburg United beat them 2-1, putting celebrations of their Telkom Knockout win over Pirates to a grinding halt.

Three minutes into the match, it looked like Celtic had continued where they had left off - coming back from 3-1 to draw 3-3 and win on penalties against Pirates last Sunday - when striker Lennox Bacela opened the scoring. But that was as good as it got at Harry Gwala for the men from Bloemfontein.

United front man Cuthbert Malajila, capitalising on an Orlando Smeekes layoff, drew level in the 17th minute. Malajila made it 2-1 eight minutes later.

  • Goals by Luyolo Nomandela and Sadat Ouro-Akoriko gave Free State Stars a 2-1 win over Ajax Cape Town at Charles Mopeli Stadium. Grandwald Scott scored for Ajax.
  • Platinum Stars pipped Black Leopards 1-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium last night, thanks to a seventh-minute goal by Henrico Botes.

The match was suspended 30 minutes into the first half due to hail, but resumed 15 minutes later.

  • University of Pretoria suffered their first league defeat when they lost 1-0 to AmaZulu.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.