Orlando Pirates grafted hard for their 2-1 win, cutting Mamelodi Sundowns’ lead at the top of the Betway Premiership to 15 points and keeping their title hopes alive with four games in hand.
Relebohile Mofokeng delivered his most decisive performance of the season, scoring a two-minute brace within the first five minutes of the match. His quickfire goals not only sent shockwaves through the visitors’ dugout but also gave Pirates a lead they would protect for the rest of the encounter.
Khuliso Mudau’s 66th-minute goal provided hope for Sundowns, but it was merely a consolation, the Sea Robbers held their nerve to avenge their heavy 4-1 loss in the first leg in early February.
In unfamiliar surroundings, the Buccaneers had to settle in quickly, knowing their championship challenge hinged on the outcome of a fixture that has troubled them in recent times. Mofokeng rose to the occasion, and Jose Riveiro was pleased with his side’s efforts, particularly their clinical execution.
With the threat of rain hovering over the iconic FNB Stadium on Sunday, no challenge loomed larger than that of a championship-bound Sundowns side, who have shown little sign of relinquishing their dominance to anyone, nevermind Pirates.
“The game was what we expected,” Riveiro said after the match.
"We tried to convince ourselves to have a strong start, and we were accurate, getting the lead early, which gave us a boost of confidence. Every point is important, especially in a season where it seems like one team is going to reach 80 points.
"It's three points, but in these types of games, it feels like six. (Sunday), we know we got the result, and the team we are chasing didn’t. It was an opportunity to reduce the gap, but there’s still a long way to go.”
Riveiro and Co will get some rest over the next fortnight, due to a Fifa international break. They will return for the first leg of the CAF Champions League quarter-final against Mouloudia Club d'Alger on April 1. Their next league commitment is against Polokwane City a week later.