Downs end Pirates’ title hopes

SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 11: Hlompho Kekana of Sundowns and Thandani Ntshumayelo of Pirates during the Absa Premiership match between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns at Orlando Stadium on May 11, 2013 in Soweto, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 11: Hlompho Kekana of Sundowns and Thandani Ntshumayelo of Pirates during the Absa Premiership match between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns at Orlando Stadium on May 11, 2013 in Soweto, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

Published May 11, 2013

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Soweto – Orlando Pirates ended their slim hopes of retaining the Absa Premiership title for the third year in succession after a 1-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

The Brazilians dealt the killer blow in second-half injury time when Alje Schut headed home the winner.

The Buccaneers remained seven points behind front runners Kaizer Chiefs with two matches left in the campaign.

Sundowns, meanwhile, staked their claim for a top-eight finish with a valuable three points.

In the 14th minute, Thandani Ntshumayelo had the first shot of the match for Pirates, although he was off the radar as the ball sprayed into the stands.

Sundowns replied with a speculative effort of their own four minutes later. Richard Henyekane went for goal from the edge of the area but the attempt sailed over the target.

Pirates player Khethowakhe Masuku made a run down the right, getting away from his marker in the 19th minute, but with teammates waiting in the middle, he went for goal instead of crossing and produced a poor shot.

Masuku struck again four minutes later, forcing a save from Wayne Sandilands in the Sundowns goal.

Pirates unlocked the Sundowns defence in the 28th minute and the shot fell to Oupa Manyisa, whose strike had the beating of Sandilands, but he was denied by the woodwork.

Collins Mbesuma shaved the post with a powerful low driving attempt from just outside the box on the half-hour mark.

Four minutes before the break, Teko Modise took a chance from way out and forced a save from Senzo Meyiwa.

Wayne Arendse then struck the crossbar with a header from close range as Sundowns pressed for the opener.

Less than a minute later, Pirates' Thandani Ntshumayelo raced into the Sundowns area, and without a defender nearby he inexplicably sliced his shot away from goal.

In the 52nd minute, Mbesuma made his way into the area and his fierce attempt drew a diving save from Sandilands.

A minute later Masuku went for goal from the corner kick, but Sandilands was alert and tipped the ball over.

In the 68th minute, Henyekane went on a surging run and made it past the Pirates defence. Meyiwa came to the rescue, running off his line, and stole the ball from Henyekane to stamp out the attack.

With six minutes remaining, Pirates had three shots in a row and the third fell to Happy Jele in front of an open goal, but he could not find the back of the net. – Sapa

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