Sundowns Beat Pirates To Cut Betway Premiership Gap To Three Points

Mamelodi Sundowns reignited the Betway Premiership title race after securing a crucial 2-1 victory over log leaders Orlando Pirates in a thrilling top-of-the-table clash at FNB Stadium on Wednesday night.

Brayan Leon Brace Powers Sundowns

Colombian striker Brayan Leon was the hero for the defending champions, scoring twice in the first half to hand Sundowns a commanding lead.

Leon opened the scoring in the 37th minute after Nuno Santos split the Pirates defence with a precise through ball, allowing the forward to finish comfortably past Sipho Chaine.

He doubled the advantage four minutes later when Aubrey Modiba threaded a ball between Lebone Seema and Nkosinathi Sibisi, with Leon beating Chaine at the near post. The goal followed a defensive lapse, as Seema misjudged the bounce of the ball.

Leon’s brace took his tally to four goals in two matches, having also netted twice against MC Alger in the CAF Champions League over the weekend.

Pirates Fight Back Through Maswanganyi

Despite Sundowns’ dominance, Pirates had started brightly. Early chances fell to Dion Hotto and Yanela Mbuthuma, but Ronwen Williams produced crucial saves to keep the hosts at bay.

Pirates pulled one back in the second minute of the second half when Patrick Maswanganyi saw his deflected effort beat Williams, moments after Mbuthuma had rattled the crossbar.

The Soweto giants pushed for an equaliser, but Sundiwns midfielder Teboho Mokoena testing Chaine from long range and Khulumane Ndamane striking the crossbar with a towering header. However, Sundowns held firm to secure a vital away win.

Betway Premiership Title Race Intensifies

The result sees Sundowns move to 35 points after 16 matches, cutting Pirates’ lead at the top to just three points. Pirates remain on 38 points but have played a game more.

Coming into the match, the two sides were separated by six points, with Sundowns holding a game in hand. This was their fourth meeting of the season, following MTN8 semi-final clashes that ended in draws before Pirates advanced on penalties.

The defeat ends Pirates’ 14-match unbeaten run in all competitions and sends a strong message from the reigning champions that the Betway Premiership title race is far from over.

As Sundowns celebrated wildly at the final whistle, Pirates players were left stunned — the gap has narrowed, and the championship battle is well and truly alive.