Orlando Pirates failed to get the job done against Stellenbosch last night as Mamelodi Sundowns secured all three points to make it four wins from five.
Under the Athlone Stadium lights, the Maroons were one man down from the 35th minute after Brian Mandela was shown straight red – a questionable decision from the referee.
Kabelo Dlamini hammered the post two minutes later, and it was all Orlando Pirates after that. Still, the Cape Winelands side dug deep as Enyinnaya Godswill and Thabo Moloisane put in Goliath performances.
It was a quiet night for Devin Titus’s standards, who was subbed off moments after the second half began, making way for Nigerian midfielder Ibraheem Jabaar. Former Maritzburg United Genino Palace had himself a night, linking plays and halting Orlando Pirates’ attacks.
The Buccaneers were unable to take advantage of Stellies’ red card and looked unconvincing in front of goal; neither Tshegofatso Mabasa nor Relebohile Mofokeng were clinical.
With the odds of winning a title slipping away, walking away with three points was a necessity. Now, the league is firmly in Masandawana’s hands.
Bad form
A draw to Steve Barker’s side makes it two wins, two defeats and one draw in the Sea Robbers’ last five games, while Sundowns remain in full flow, steering them closer to a historic eighth league title in a row.
Orlando Pirates lie eighteen points behind the Brazilians with four games in hand – the two meet again this weekend.
Kick-off: 15:30 (Sunday)
Their first league meeting came in early February when a Lucas Ribeiro Costa brace steered Sundowns to an emphatic 4-1 victory.
Can Orlando Pirates bring it back?
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