Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates settled for a 1-1 draw in a DStv Premiership clash at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday night.
Marcelo Allende broke the deadlock for Sundowns in the 75th minute of the game, whereas Tapelo Xoki levelled matters three minutes after the restart from the spot kick.
Below are some of the talking points from this encounter.
SOLD OUT AFFAIR
This showdown is one of the season’s much-anticipated contests given the storied rivalry between the two sides. As a result, tickets for tonight’s game between Sundowns and Pirates were officially sold out before the kick-off.
The fans’ abundant roars and rumbles in the stands were just priceless.
THEMBINKOSI LORCH STARTS AGAINST ORLANDO PIRATES
Thembinkosi Lorch started against his former club, Orlando Pirates. This was Lorch’s first game in Bafana Ba Style colours, having joined the Chloorkop-based side in the just-ended January transfer window period.
The talented winger was expected to have a bigger role in this tie, as he knows Pirates very well. However, Lorch couldn’t help his side to secure a victory against the Buccaneers.
SIPHO CHAINE, INNOCENT MAELA, AND THABISO MONYANE RETURN
Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, captain Innocent Maela, and defender Thabiso Monyane returned to action for Pirates after injury spells.
Chaine returned between the sticks after suffering a Grade 1 tear during the Carling Black Label Knockout clash against Cape Town Spurs towards the end of 2023.
Pirates skipper Maela recovered well after undergoing corrective surgery on a niggling groin strain.
Meanwhile, Monyane is back in the starting eleven, having sustained a Grade 2 tear of the medial collateral ligament during the Soweto Derby clash; he returned to training in December 2023.
MIGUEL TIMM SENT OFF
Pirates were reduced to 10-man as Miguel Timm received his second yellow card in the 54th minute of the showpiece.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Sundowns and Pirates have already met twice this campaign. Bucs walked away victorious in the MTN8 final, winning on penalties to lift the title. A few weeks Pirates succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Masandawana at home.
And this evening, both sides settled for a 1-1 draw at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
OTHER DSTV PREMIERSHIP RESULTS
Cape Town Spurs registered their second win of the season as they defeated AmaZulu FC 3-1 at home.
Sekhukhune United on the other hand edged Richards Bay with a 3-1 scoreline at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Meanwhile, Moroka Swallows succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Polokwane City at Dobsonville Stadium, whereas Chippa United played out to a 1-1 draw with Cape Town City at Buffalo City Stadium.
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