Sundowns beat Chiefs to delay Pirates’ DDC title celebrations

Orlando Pirates will have to wait until the final day of the season to be crowned DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) champions after second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns won their penultimate match.

Pirates opened up a six-point lead over Sundowns on Saturday, when they beat Chippa United 2-0, and were hoping that the Brazilians stumble against Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday to win the title with a game to spare.

However, Sundowns beat Chiefs 2-0 to take it to the final day where Pirates need a draw while they must win and surpass the Soweto giants’ goal difference.

Sundowns completed the job in the first half when their relentless pressing paid off as Sipho Ngqakabana connected well with a well lofted in cross to break the deadlock after 33 minutes.

What do Sundowns and Pirates need to win it?

The second goal arrived 10 minutes later and it was again from their high pressing that Sundowns were rewarded. Ngqakabana capitalised on a defensive error to win the ball at the edge of the box before striking into the top corner and that is how the scores remained.

Sundowns had some of their first team players in the starting XI, among them Malibongwe Khoza, Sibiya Thato, Kekana Gomolemo and Kutlwano Letlhaku and they played a key part in their win.

Victory leaves Sundowns on 69 points, three behind leaders Pirates, who now have a +3-goal difference, and need a draw in the final match to win a first-ever DDC title.

For Sundowns, they must defeat Pirates in the season final and also beat their goal difference to be crowned for the second time since the 2016-17 season.