A first-half brace by Mamelodi Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana and a strike by Anthony Laffor condemned Orlando Pirates to a 3-1 loss on Wednesday night, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.

The Soweto giants headed into the encounter on the back of a 1-0 victory against Golden Arrows in the Telkom Knockout. Milutin Sredojevic made three changes to his side, with Wayne Sandilands, Marc van Heerden and Abbubaker Mobara being handed starting berths.

Masandawana went into the encounter on the back of a three-game losing streak. Pitso Mosimane made four changes to his side that lost 1-0 to Chippa United, with Fares Hachi, Themba Zwane, Khama Billiat and Thokozani Sekotlong being dropped to the bench in place of Tebogo Langerman, Anele Ngcongca, Tiyani Mabunda and Sibusiso Vilakazi respectively.

The two teams weren’t even settled when the first goal of the encounter was scored. Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana found the back of the net in the first minute in bizarre fashion when he blocked an attempted clearance by Mobara, which ricocheted into the Pirates net.

Stunned by the early goal, Pirates upped their attacking efforts and came close levelling matters in the fifth minute when Makola, Van Heerden and Lorch combined, but the latter was unable to time his run.

Great ball by Matlaba found Lorch in some space behind defence, but the winger fluffed his effort wide of the target.

Pirates were left absolutely stunned when Kekana grabbed his brace in the 13th minute, courtesy of a strike from the halfway line that left Sandilands looking red-faced.

The home side made an early change in a bid to save the game as Thabiso Kutumela made way for Thamsanqa Gabuza.

Sundowns executed their game plan well as Kekana almost scored his third in the 30th minute with yet one more thunderbolt from distance.

Pirates were forced into another change as Musa Nyatama replaced the injured Innocent Maela in the 35th minute. The home side were given a glimmer of hope two minutes later when Van Heerden reduced the deficit with a well-struck free kick.

The momentum shifted in Pirates’ favour and the home side should have been level seconds before the half-time break when Makola’s quickly taken free kick found Lorch with some space behind the defence, but the winger blasted his effort over the crossbar.

Pirates started the second half like a house on fire, and Issa Sarr should have equalised matters for the home side after being put through on goal by Gabuza.

Micho’s side continued to make inroads and threatened the Sundowns with each attack. However, they were often let down by their final ball into the area.

Sundowns were barely hanging on by a thread as Pirates dominated proceedings. The visitors came close to doubling their lead in the 62nd minute as Kekana’s free kick struck the post.

Sundowns gradually found their feet and put Pirates on the defensive as Sandilands made crucial blocks from Tau and Kekana respectively.

The visitors made their first change of the game in the 69th minute when Billiat replaced Tau.

Qalinge came agonisingly to equalising when his deflected volley headed goal-bound with Onyango well-beaten, however it went inches over the crossbar.

Pirates made their final change in the 73rd minute when Bernard Morrison replaced the injured Lorch.

Themba Zwane replaced Kekana, while Anthony Laffor replaced Vilakazi in the 75th minute as Sundowns looked to kill off the game. Qalinge had the best chance of the game to level matters when he got on to the end of Van Heerden’s shot, but the winger was unable to direct his effort, despite having the beating of the goalkeeper.

Laffor managed to find a late sensational strike to put the result beyond doubt as Sundowns ran out 3-1 victors.

Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/Backpagepix