PRETORIA – Orlando Pirates’ fans rushed on to the pitch of Loftus Versfeld, after Percy Tau converted Mamelodi Sundowns’ sixth goal on Saturday afternoon.
They were enraged.
This was for the second time they had gone down by six goals this season, following their 6-1 hammering by SuperSport United.
Sundowns players had to quickly rush into the tunnel as Pirates’ fans began throwing missiles at them. Pirates’ players sprinted for the tunnel, too.
The security guards struggled to keep the situation under control as a number of enraged Pirates’ supporters got on to the pitch.
Cops not even trained at dealing with riots!! Starring down at grasshoppers when lives are at risk!! pic.twitter.com/tjL4bpHqCl
— robertmarawa (@robertmarawa) February 11, 2017
Mayhem broke out on the stands as well, and a police nyala truck had to be brought in to disperse the crowd.
Stun grenades were thrown at the fans to scare them off. It took a long while before they responded and left the field.
One fan remained flat on the pitch, as many Pirates supporters ran for the exit points of the stadium to avoid arrest.
That unidentified fan was taken off the pitch with a stretcher by the paramedics, with his or her whole body covered with a blanket.
Ugly scenes at Loftus as Pirates fans invade the stadium. pic.twitter.com/pjiphW9KLm
— Njabulo Ngidi (@NJABULON) February 11, 2017
After the match resumed, Pirates fought hard to pull one back for a consolation goal. Their efforts either went wide or they were denied by Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango.
The first half started with a blistering pace. Both sides showed great urgency to score the opener. It was Pirates, though, who looked more threatening in the first 15 minutes of the game.
Their one-touch quick transition football from their own half into Sundowns’ territory proved to be at bit too much for the hosts.
Their style of play forced Sundowns to align themselves deeper in defence, only allowing Percy Tau and Khama Billiat to remain upfront.
Pitso Mosimane was hoping to catch his opponents on the break. And that decision worked for them as it minimised the threat Pirates imposed on them, and gave them freedom moving forward.
After Gift Motupa had missed a golden opportunity to give his side the lead in the first two minutes, Sundowns then responded with an attacking move of their own.
Themba Zwane gave the Brazilians the lead, following a superb pass from Billiat inside the box. Then Tau followed, just three minutes before the break. Sundowns were now in control of the match.
The second half proved to be more open than the first period. Based on how the Sea Robbers played in the second stanza, it showed that they had already given up on playing catch-up.
They conceded four more goals, with both Tau and Thapelo Morena registering a brace each on the day.
Ricardo Nascimento converted from the spot after Tau was brought down by James Okwasa inside the box in the 62nd minute.