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Orlando Pirates beat Sundowns for the first in three years

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Orlando Pirates have registered their first win against Mamelodi Sundowns in more than three years.

The Bucaneers cruised past the former African champions 3-1 in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon.

Pirates last win against the Brazilians was in August 2014.

Sundowns’ lead at the top has been cut to just four points, and the win takes Pirates to the third spot on the log table.

A lot was expected from this encounter, and the match did live up to expectations.

Orlando Pirates broke the deadlock as early as the second minute through defender Ntsikelelo Nyauza, after the visitors won a corner kick in the early stages of the match.

From then on Mamelodi Sundowns pilled on a lot of pressure in search of an equaliser.

Bucs keeper Jackson Mabokgwane was forced to work overtime, when his teammates gave away a lot of possession in the midfield.

But it was Pirates who managed to increase their lead in the 18th minute through Mpho Makola after a defensive blunder by Motjeka Madisha.

Luvuyo Memela could have sealed the game for Bucs thirteen minutes before the break with Dennis Onyango at his mercy, but his attempt sailed over the bar.

Sundowns remained calm despite the onslaught with Percy Tau managing to pull one back for his side seven minutes before half-time.

Then Pirates were denied by the woodwork on the stroke of half-time with Onyango off his line.

The home supporters felt hard done when the referee waved play on after their captain Hlompho Kekana was brought down inside the box nine minutes into the second half.

Substitute Anthony Laffor fluffed an easy opportunity to score the equalising goal with the Pirates keeper at his mercy.

Memela put the issue beyond doubt when he scored the third goal for Pirates.

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