South Africa Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns were too good or visitors Orlando Pirates 1-0 in an Dstv Premiership tie played at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.
Brian Onyango scored the decisive goal of the match but also cleared the ball off the line to prevent Pirates from finding a way to salvage a point.
The game got off to a very slow start, with neither outfit playing with a great intensity or urgency.
Despite the slow start, it was Sundowns who had the first chance of the half, as Lebohang Maboef forcedWayne Sandilands into a fine fingertip save from 20-yards out.
Pirates, meanwhile, failed to get in the opening 25 minutes, the passing was not as good as it has been in recent weeks, while their efforts in the final third were nothing shot of poor.
Sundowns deservingly broke the deadlock on the 35 minutes when Brian Onynago headed in a Rivaldo Coetzee’s free-kick past Sandilands.
The Brazilians continued to dominate proceedings in the encounter but there was little action happening in front of goal on either end of the park.
Puke and Dzvukamanja were then involved in a quick one-two in the closing minutes of the half, however, their play, which was causing problems for Pirates, was blown for offside.
Following the restart, Pirates came out playing with much more purpose, while the Brazilians struggled to keep hold of possession as their overall energy levels appeared to drop.
There was however a chance for Sundowns to extend their lead on the hour mark, but Thapelo Morena was unable to get a decisive touch with the goal at his mercy.
Gabadinho Mhango should have given Pirates an equalizer in the 65th minute, but the forward ballooned his effort over the bar, after being teed up by Thembinkosi Lorch.
The final 25 minutes of the game were played on a knife-edge as both sides probed for a winner while also being wary of losing the match.
Pirates failed to penetrate the Sundowns defence in the closing stages, as Chiefs maintain their 100 percent start to the season.
How they lined-up:
Sundowns: D. Onyango, Mudau, Lakay, Nascimento, B. Onyango, Coetzee, Mvala, Maboe, Morena, Modiba, Shalulile.
Subs: Mweene, Jali, Margeman, Kapinga, Erasmus, Soumahoro, Langerman, Mkhulise, Makgalwa.
Pirates: Sandilands, Hlatshwayo, Nyauza, Jooste, Maela, Motshwari, Makaringe, Lorch, Hotto, Pule, Dzvukamanja.
Subs: Mpontshane, Mundele, Mako, Zungu, Monare, Ndlovu, Mhango, Jele, Monyane.
