Mamelodi Sundowns ended Orlando Pirates’ 11-match home winning run with a 2-1 victory in their Betway Premiership clash at FNB Stadium on Wednesday evening.
In what was billed as a potential title swaying fixture it proved the case with Masandawana now within three points of Pirates who were aiming to pull clear by nine points this evening.
Despite several early chances and a penalty appeal waved away, in-form Sundowns forward Brayan León showed the importance of having a clinical finisher up front.
With the chances, he scored two goals late in the first half, handing Miguel Cardoso’s side a healthy lead at the break.
Patrick Maswanganyi – who had the penalty appeal waved away which led the opener – then pulled one back just a minute into the second half with a deflected shot finding its way beyond Ronwen Williams, who was a colossal figure in the opening half with three major saves.
The game swung into an end-to-end battle, with Pirates looking the more likely to find the next goal – until Miguel Cardoso looked to gain more control of the midfield, brining on Marcelo Allende for Nuno Santos and later Themba Zwane for Tashreeq Matthews.
Abdeslam Ouaddou responded with Andre de Jong coming on for Oswin Appollis to add more threat inside the last third but it the visitors showed their tactical discipline and experience to hold firm for three points.
Sundowns are now three points behind the Soweto giants with a game in hand.
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