Sundowns stun Pirates in DStv Premiership return

It is as though Mamelodi Sundowns’ Mothobi Mvala was showing Orlando Pirates’ Tapelo Xoki how it’s done when he headed home to open the scoring in a thrilling DStv Premiership tie between the defending champions and the Happy People.

Mvala scored his maiden goal of the season in the 41st minute but a couple of minutes earlier, Pirates had an identical set-piece where Monnapule Saleng delivered a cross into the box, the same way Marcelo Allende teed up Mvala.

However, Xoki’s effort found a highly alert Ronwen Williams, while on the other end, Siaybonga Mpontshane had to agonizingly watch the ball crawl into the back of the net.

ALSO READ: Chiefs out to flatten Arrows’ spear

The defending champions marked the resumption of the league with a hard fought 2-0 win against their rivals as both sides made sure to give supporters their money’s worth, considering that fans had to endure the whole match in the rain.

Bafana Style extended their lead at the summit of the DStv Premiership as they have now collected 31 points.

However, after a long awaited return of local football, supporters came in their numbers to embrace the occasion.

Meanwhile, Sundowns head coach, Rulani Mokwena was forced to make a change when Abubaker Nassir was stretchered out after a collision with Mpontshane towards the dying moments of the first stanza.

Mokwena brought on the exciting Cassius Mailula to come on his place at the start of the second half.

In the 63rd minute, he repaid his coach with a goal, netting for the third time in five appearances this season.

ALSO READ: ‘Football in four letters’: World bows to ‘King’ Pele

While the Masandawana faithful cheered in jubilation for the vicenarian, it was substitute Sipho Mbule who did the ground work when he dispossessed Miguel Timm off the ball.

Mbule then passed Neo Maema, who dribbled his way past Pirates’ Thabiso Monyane before delivering a cross into the box. Mphontshane initially made the save, but did not distinguish the danger as the ball fell onto the path of Mailula, who got the easiest of tap-ins.

In the 81st minute, Haashim Domingo had a chance to add a cherry on top when he was found by Allende, and well to escape the offside trap. However, he could not keep his attempt anywhere near the mark.