Mamelodi Sundowns are back at the top of the DSTV Premiership log following a 3-0 win away against Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
Orlando Pirates welcomed Mamelodi Sundowns to the Orlando Stadium in Soweto for their second-round clash of the current league campaign.
The Brazilians showed their class in the second half after a competitive first half.
Ricardo Nascimento converted a penalty kick before Peter Shalulile and Lyle Lakay killed off the match as a contest in the last fifteen minutes.
80′ GOAL! Lakay makes it three with a picture perfect free-kick leaving the keeper with no chance!#Sundowns #DownsLive #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/A6fF1ebumg
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 2, 2021
Before kick-off, as is the norm, the two sides observed a moment of silence for all lives lost to the COVID-19 pandemic and there was a round of applause for all frontline workers.
They also remembered the late Regent of the Zulu nation, Her Majesty Queen Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu.
After that, it was game on. Pirates and Sundowns last met on the 15th of last month in a Nedbank Cup semi-final. In that match, the Brazilians recorded a 4-1 win at the Loftus Versfeld in the capital city.
What made this fixture interesting was the AmaZulu win against Golden Arrows in the Durban derby on Saturday afternoon.
With that victory, Usuthu moved to the top of the standings, unseating Sundowns in the process, who have been run-away log leaders for the better part of the season.
Early in the second half, Sundowns won a penalty. Nascimento stepped up and converted from the spot.
Namibian Deon Hotto tried an acrobatic shot but his attempt was wide of goal.
On the other end, Pirates’ defence was all at sea. The holders were not done yet as they won a set piece and extended their lead.
And it could have been worse for the Buccaneers but they survived the storm.
Sundowns are back at the top of the standings with 51 points from 24 matches.
1️⃣ Clean Sheet, 3️⃣ Goals, 3️⃣ Points! The Brazilians secure a massive win in style in Orlando after a fantastic team display! ?
Orlando Pirates 0️⃣➖3️⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns (58′ Nascimento, 76′ Shalulile, 80′ Lakay) #Sundowns #DownsLive #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/G8mde72W0b
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 2, 2021
