PSL dream shattered? Wasteful Pirates pay penalty as Leon continues to shine!

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PSL dream shattered? Wasteful Pirates pay penalty as Leon continues to shine!

Brayan Leon scored a brace as Mamelodi Sundowns silenced Orlando Pirates 2-1 in the Premier Soccer League fixture staged at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Sea Robbers, who last won the league in the 2011/12 season, needed three points to open a nine-point gap between them and the defending champions, Masandawana.

The initial three meetings across all competitions ended 1-1 in regulation time, but it was the Buccaneers who had an advantage since they have had a good run, especially in domestic outings.

Who can stop Leon?

Brayan Leon, Mamelodi Sundowns

Bucs almost took the lead in the sixth minute when a poor clearance from Grant Kekana fell to Deon Hotto. The veteran’s shot was deflected, but South Africa international Ronwen Williams proved why he is the main man in goal with a decent save.

Williams was called into action again in the 13th minute when Oswin Appollis found Yanela Mbuthuma in the area, but the on-target header was parried by the custodian to ensure his team didn’t concede an early goal.

It was Pirates, again, who came close to opening the scoring in the 26th minute. The inform Relebohile Mofokeng found space to pass the ball to versatile Hotto, but his snapshot was well handled by Williams.

Sundowns scored with literally their first shot on target in the 37th minute. Captain Nkosinathi Sibisi and Hotto were caught napping by Nuno Santos’ precise pass, giving Brayan Leon a chance to chest the ball before finding the bottom corner.

Four minutes later, it got worse for Bucs as the Colombian, once again, stole a yard between the centre-backs to guide home a pass from Aubrey Modiba.

Maswanganyi strike not enough

Pirates started the second half better, with Appollis needing seconds to set up Mbuthuma, but the upright came to Sundowns’ rescue. However, it mattered less as moments later, Patrick Maswanganyi’s deflected effort reduced the deficit.

Chaine’s alertness was tested in the 61st minute when Teboho Mokoena unleashed a rocket from range. The custodian punched the ball, and the defenders bailed him out.

Bafana Bafana international Khulumani Ndamane, who joined Masandawana from TS Galaxy in January, could have had his name on the score sheet as he rose highest to meet the ball from a corner, but despite beating Chaine, he was denied by the cross bar.

Despite the late pressure by the Soweto giants, it wasn’t meant to be as they fell for the third time in the league this season.

Bucs are now on 38 points on top of the table, having played 17 games, while Sundowns come in second with 35 from 16 outings.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

Author

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.

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