Pirates the real winners
At the end of this lukewarm 2-0 Tshwane derby win for SuperSport United over Mamelodi Sundowns at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Wednesday, Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic must have performed the uppercut punch celebration from wherever he watched.
United’s first win over Sundowns in the 11th time of asking has propelled Kaitano Tembo’s team to fourth spot on the Absa Premiership standings with 43 points.
But, most importantly, it gives Pirates a significant advantage in the league title run-in.
Pirates have played two matches more than Sundowns but they enjoy a six-point advantage which is going to be vital as they seek to win their first league title since 2012.
Sundowns remain third, where they are level on 44 points with second-placed Bidvest Wits, and coach Pitso Mosimane will have to find a way of refreshing a team that has played their 45th match of the season in all competitions so far this season.
Their schedule is not getting any easier as they face catch-up assignments against Baroka FC in Polokwane on Saturday and Chippa United at home on Tuesday afternoon where six points will bring them level with Pirates.
Immediately after the Chippa United match, the Brazilians fly out to Morocco to take on Wydad Casablanca in the semifinal, first leg of the Caf Champions League on Friday where they will also be looking for a favourable result.
Another advantage to Pirates in the race for the league title is that they are on a 10-day break from action.
Their next match is only Wednesday next week when they visit Maritzburg United at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.
In Wednesday night’s game, United took the lead on the half-hour mark. A header by unmarked defender Grant Kekana ricocheted off the upright into the net off Kennedy Mweene after he connected well with the ball from Aubrey Modiba.
After the goal, there was not much action in a game that failed to live up to the expectations of a local derby, and they went to the break with United enjoying a slender lead.
Sundowns, who looked like their heavy schedule was finally catching up with them, came back with more purpose, but they could not find the goal that could have drawn the teams level.
United ensured all the points in the 78th minute when Gamphani Lungu beat Mweene at the near post with a low shot.
In the process, they managed to beat their Tshwane rivals for the first time in 11 matches, stretching from 2014.