SWEET REVENGE AS THE GHOSTS HAUNT SUNDOWNS AT LOFTUS

YOU CAN'T TOUCH THIS: Ntsikelelo Nyaoza celebrates his goal  as they (Pirates) sink Downs at Loftus Stadium, Pretoria.

Maleka Charles

It was a sweet revenge Saturday  Afternoon for Orlando Pirates as they beat Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 at Loftus Stadium, in what was lauded the top class football match between the two Gauteng giants.

Goals from Luvoyo Memela, Mpho Makola and Ntsikeleo Nyauza were enough to end the drama the Brazilians had caused upon Pirates last season, when they humiliated them 6-0 and later on 3-1 at Orlando Stadium.

Orlando Pirates Coach Milutin Sredojevic attributed the victory to the players’ attitude, saying the players believed they could turn things around and beat the monstrous Sundowns.

“I want to give credit to the players, that they can give everything and that they really believed and lived for this day, because it was too much drama in 2017 for our supporters, for us.”

Sredojevic dedicated the match to the supporters for the pains they had suffered in the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns in the last two seasons and said they deserved this sweet revenge.

“I just want to dedicate this to our supporters for the pain that they had to suffer, I think at least a bit sweetness in their lives and New Year they deserve it.”

Although disappointed, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane believed had Anthony Laffor scored  they would have probably won the game at the end of the day.

“We dealt well with them, had Laffor scored it would have been different, but football is not about ‘the ifs or had you’ you know.”

Mosimane praised his boys for their play at home, saying they showed who they are and kept the integrity intact regardless of a loss and they accepts it.

“They had chances also you know, but we controlled the game that’s beautiful, it’s good, we showed who we are when we play at home, integrity was there so we have to accept that.”

Orlando Pirates ascended to number five on the PSL log with 26 points, while Downs are still patched on top of the log standings with 31 points.

Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 1 (Tau 38')

Orlando Pirates (2) 3 (Nyauza 2' Makola 18' Memela 83')

Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango; Langerman, Madisha, Nascimento, S.Zwane (Makgalwa 82') - Kekana (Sekotlong 87'), Mabunda, Manyisa - Vilakaz (Laffor 60'), T.Zwane, Tau.

Orlando Pirates: Mabokgwane; Maela, Shitolo, Nyauza, Mobara, Dube - Makola (Munetsi 79'), Nyatama - Memela, Kutumela (Foster 89'), Shonga (Lorch 55').