The Brazilians recorded their sixth league win in a row to open up a nine-point gap between themselves and second-placed Bidvest Wits, who lost to Kaizer Chiefs on Tuesday.
Sundowns were irresistible in the first half, and played some impressive, one-touch football. Both their goals came during this period when Leonardo Castro and Khama Billiat converted two flowing moves.
The beleaguered Buccaneers, who were chasing shadows in the first 45 minutes, came back storming in the second half. They outplayed the visitors, but in the end they only had Mpho Makola’s amazing free kick halfway through the second half to show for their efforts.
Pirates actually had the first couple of chances of the first half, after Thamsanqa Gabuza’s effort flew over the crossbar and Thabo Rakhale’s ambitious volley missed the target by a mile in the 13th minute.
However, until the end of the first half, it was all Sundowns.
Hlompo Kekana produced another masterclass in the midfield, and he released Keagan Dolly in the 16th minute during a counter attack. However, the former Ajax Cape Town man dragged his shot wide of the target.
Sundowns took the lead three minutes later when Castro slotted the ball into the bottom right corner after brilliant interplay with Billiat and Dolly.
Sundowns, who played like the real Brazilians of South America, made it 2-0 in the 37th minute when Billiat buried his volley after Dolly’s initial shot was blocked.
Pirates fought back in the second half. They certainly played with a lot more intent and verve. Gabuza went wide in the 61st minute, while Rakhale caused all sorts of havoc on the edge of the Sundowns box.
Pirates were rewarded for their efforts when Makola smashed in a free-kick from 35 yards to make it 2-1 in the 71st minute. Gabuza could have equalised in the 77th minute, but he glanced Makola’s cross wide of the target.
In the end, though, Sundowns held on for an important win.
Source: African News Agency (ANA)
