Pirates Stay Top Of League As Mamelodi Sundowns Held By Siwelele
Orlando Pirates will go into the enforced Africa Cup of Nations break at the top of the Betway Premiership after Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 1-1 draw by Siwelele at Dr. Molemela Stadium on Wednesday.
Sundowns, who never found their rhythm against Siwelele, are now two points behind log leaders Pirates, with the Soweto giants still holding a game in hand.
Pirates sit on 28 points from 12 matches, while Sundowns remain on 26 points from 13 matches.
Sundowns entered the match knowing the equation was simple: win, and they would return to the top of the table due to a superior goal difference over Pirates, who went top after beating Durban City over the weekend.
However, the night did not follow Sundowns’ script. They suffered an early setback when defender Grant Kekana appeared to sprain his left ankle alone after receiving a back pass from Khuliso Mudau, forcing him off for Kegan Johannes in the early stages.
That change proved costly. Johannes’ scuffed back pass put goalkeeper Ronwen Williams into trouble, and the Bafana Bafana captain was robbed of possession by Tebogo Potsane. The former Kaizer Chiefs winger squared the ball to Vincent Pule, who easily finished into an empty net in the 26th minute to give Siwelele a shock lead.
Sundowns struggled to find any cohesion in midfield, while Siwelele remained compact and disciplined.
Coach Miguel Cardoso made a double change just before the hour mark, withdrawing Aubrey Modiba and Miguel Reisinho for captain Themba Zwane and Arthur Sales. Zwane had a chance to equalise inside the box but scuffed his effort wide on the turn—understandable given his limited game time this season due to injury.
Cardoso made another change in the 71st minute, bringing on Lebo Mothiba for Marcelo Allende. The switch paid off immediately as Mothiba scored the equaliser, turning the ball home after he and Iqraam Rayners nearly miscontrolled it in the build-up.
It was Mothiba’s first PSL goal and his second overall for Sundowns, following his debut strike at the FIFA Club World Cup against Borussia Dortmund in June.
The defending champions should have taken the lead moments later when Nuno Santos delivered a perfect cross to Rayners. With the goal gaping, Rayners opened his body to finish, but completely mis-hit the effort, sending it wide in what was an embarrassing miss.
Zwane’s introduction injected much-needed energy as Sundowns pinned Siwelele into their own half. But their momentum was halted in the 80th minute when Teboho Mokoena was controversially sent off for a lunge on Siviwe Magidigidi. Although Mokoena appeared to win the ball, referee Abongile Tom issued a second yellow card.
Siwelele nearly snatched all three points five minutes from time when Yandisa Mfolozi broke forward, but Magidigidi was flagged offside after drifting ahead of the play.
In this moment, Sundowns may count themselves fortunate. They committed numbers forward and were left exposed at the back, while Siwelele were left to rue that missed opportunity against a vulnerable champion side.
