DStv Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns maintained their perfect start to the campaign with a 1-0 triumph over Orlando Pirates on Wednesday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 0-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 20 September 2023
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Rulani Mokwena recalled Peter Shalulile, who scored on his return in the CAF Champions League over the weekend, with Lesiba Nku dropping to the bench along with Junior Mendieta who was replaced Marcelo Allende.
For Pirates, there was a first league start of the season for midfielder Siphelo Baloni while Zakhele Lepasa, Sipho Chaine, Monnapule Saleng and Patrick Maswanganyi returned to the side after being rested for the Champions League tie.
The Brazilians got the early advantage after being awarded a penalty on ten minutes when Themba Zwane was brought down in the and allowed Lucas Riberio to convert the spot-kick for his fifth league goal of the season.
It took a while for the Buccaneers to get going in the attack and they struggled to really carve out any clear-cut chances at Ronwen Williams' goal in the opening 45 minutes.
Williams was lucky to finish the first half, as the Sundowns goalkeeper collided with Lepasa outside of the box but no action was taken from the referee.
In a bid to improve their attack after a disappointing first period, Pirates coach Jose Riveiro introduced Deon Hotto at the start of the second half in place of the young Relebohile Mofokeng.
The Buccaneers did get a sight of goal after the hour mark when Maswanganyi's effort deflected into the path of Lepasa, who failed to direct his effort on target as Williams remained unbothered.
That proved to be Maswanganyi's final action as the midfielder made way for Lesedi Kapinga, who came on for his league debut while Zwane's evening came to an end a few minutes after he was replaced by Aubrey Modiba.
Despite the changes in the second period, the Soweto giants were unable to find a way past Williams as Sundowns held on for their seventh successive league victory.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 27. Xoki, 5. Sibisi, 26. Shandu, 29. Mako, 8. Monare, 30. Baloni, 14. Saleng, 38. Mofokeng, 28. Maswanganyi, 9. Lepasa
Subs: 31. Ofori, 95. Erasmus, 39. Mthethwa, 25. Kimvuidi, 21. Kapinga, 11. Makaringe, 7. Hotto, 4. Timm, 2. Monyane
Mamelodi Sundowns: 30. Williams, 25. Mudau, 13. Boutouil, 34. Mvala, 40. Coetzee, 4. Mokoena, 24. Mbule, 11. Allende, 18. Zwane, 23. Ribeiro, 38. Shalulile.
Subs: 14. D. Onyango, 5. Lebusa, 4. Kekana, 17. Modiba, 8. Zungu, 27. Morena, 33. Maseko, 15. Mendieta, 7. Nku
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