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Arguably the clash of the day when the Mamelodi Sundowns faces the Orlando Pirates starting at 3:30 PM at Loftus Versfeld in Tshwane.
The Orlando Pirates come within five points of the record leaders but with a game in hand over the defending champs.
Meanwhile, the Sundowns face an injury crisis as they look to maintain their undefeated start in the DStv Premiership.
Themba Zwane is a dubious starter with Sundowns’ creative force after being out for the second half of December for undisclosed health issues and injuries. With seven goals this season, Zwane is the Brazilian top scorer ahead of Peter Shalulile.
The Orlando Pirates have their own injury concerns with Zakhele Lepasa in doubt due to the injury he sustained in the win over Chippa United.
Mamelodi Sundowns has failed to score in his last four outings against the Orlando Pirates and hasn’t beaten them in league competition since 2017.
The Orlando Pirates must address their problems in the final third if they are to come out with all three. The Sea Robbers have scored nine goals in seven games in the DStv Premiership.
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Orlando Pirates: Relive the action here
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Match report
Both teams had early chances, but didn’t have the quality in the final third to break the deadlock.
Vincent Pule was the first to test Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango, but the stopper was worth his effort.
Sundowns sought to unlock the Pirates with long diagonal balls as the visitors tried to pass.
The Pirates had two players booked in quick succession when Pule first tried to stop a quick goal kick and took his name before Thulani Hlatshwayo cut Thapelo Morena to get a yellow.
The advance came from a free kick conceded by Hlatshwayo that deflected Ricardo Nascimento before being headed by Brian Onyango.
An action-packed first half ended with the Pirates trailing host Sundowns by just one goal.
Halftime
The second half started as an open affair when the Sundowns invited the Pirates to come forward and they looked to hit them at halftime.
The pirates enjoyed some free throws in dangerous areas, but were unable to force their way past Onyango on set pieces.
Pirates and Sundowns had chances in a frenzied second half, but none better than Kermit Erasmus with minutes to go. His effort hit the post after he was given time and space to shoot.
The Pirates rejected the Sundowns, but the visitors were imprecise in the final third and failed to break through an organized defense.
The Brazilians ended the Pirates’ unbeaten streak thanks to that goal from Onyango.
Team news
Mamelodi Sundowns starting XI
Onyango, Mudau, Lakay, Nascimento, B. Onyango, Coetzee, Mvala, Maboe, Morena, Modiba, Shalulile.
Subs: Mweene, Jali, Mergeman, Kapinga, Erasmus, Soumahoro, Langerman, Mkhulise, Makgalwa.
Orlando Pirates starting XI
Sandilands, Maela, Nyauza, Hlatshwayo, Jooste, Makaringe, Lorch, Motshwari, Pule, Dzvukamanja, Hotto.
Subs: Mpontshane, Monyane, jail, Mako, Zungu, Monare, Ndlovu, Mhango, Mundele.
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