Masuku strike sinks Sundowns

Orlando Pirates ended their three-match winless streak in the Absa Premiership when they defeated Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 at Loftus Stadium on Tuesday night.

Khethokwakhe Masuku scored the only goal of the match late in the first half as the Buccaneers avenged a recent loss to the Brazilians.

Both sides started the match cautiously but it was Sundowns who threatened first with Anthony Lafor shooting over the target in the 21^st minute, while Rodney Ramagalela forced a fingertip save from Senzo Meyiwa nine minutes later.

Pirates broke the deadlock in the 37^th minute as Masuku tapped the ball into an open net from close range following some good work from Helder Pelembe on the left.

Senzo Meyiwa then pulled off a great save in the first minute of added time to keep his side in the lead, diving to his right to parry a solid freekick from Hlompho Kekana.

Pirates almost punished Sundowns from a counter-attack a minute later but Elias Pelembe made a last ditch tackle to dispossess Oupa Manyisa inside the box.

Pitso Mosimane made a change at the break, bringing on Lebohang Mokoena in place of Anthony Laffor, and it was the substitute who saw his shot deflected just wide of the post in the 55^th minute.

Helder Pelembe should have extended his side’s advantage in the 70^th minute when he was put through by Masuku, but he lost the ball forward while trying to dribble past Kennedy Mweene.

Sundowns threatened late in the game but Ramagalela’s low shot was turned around the post by Meyiwa in the 81^st minute, while Thandani Ntshumayelo did well to clear Rashid Sumaila’s header off the line six minute later.

The Brazilians remain in second place with 34 points from 18 matches, while Pirates are up to sixth place with 27 points from 16 matches.

Mamelodi Sundowns 0

Orlando Pirates (1) 1 (Masuku 37’)

Mamelodi Sundowns: Mweene, Moon, Mashaba, Nthethe, Sumaila, Kekana (Moriri 68’), Pelembe (Tau 87’), Modise, Zungu, Laffor (Mokoena 46’), Ramagalela

Orlando Pirates: Meyiwa, Jele, Nyauza, Lekgwathi, Matlaba, Masuku (Motshegwa 88’), Ntshumayelo, Manyisa, Myeni, Makola (Molangoane 82’), Pelembe (Erasmus 75’)