Pirates supporters reduce brilliant football to chaos
Mamelodi Sundowns’ 6-0 demolition of Orlando Pirates causes chaos at the Loftus Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Livid Pirates stored into the pitch after the Buccaneers conceded a sixth goal.
Orlando Pirates supporters on rampage during the Absa Premiership match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on February 11, 2017 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)
Players and players ran into the tunnel to take cover as the South African Police Service were left with no choice but to intervene as a police nyala was launched into the pitch, releasing teargas to disperse the pitch invaders. After the situation had calm down, a supporter was given medical attention after suffering from what appeared to be stampede as fist fights broke between Sundowns and Pirates supporters. There have been, sadly, reports that the said supporters has passed away.
However, prior to the disgusting conduct, the Sea Robbers had the first chance of the game falling at the feet of Gift Motupa, who broke through free as early as the second minute, successfully beating Sundowns’ defence and goalkeeper Denis Onyango, but his accuracy let him down as he struck the foot of the upright.
The hosts responded with an attack of their on three minutes later, with captain Hlompho Kekana playing a through ball to Percy Tau, who then laid it off to winger Themba Zwane, but the finish product was one to frown upon as Zwane ballooned his effort over the bar.
Soon after, Zwane made up for his earlier miss as he scored his fourth goal of the season 21 minutes into the encounter after goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane had failed to hold on to a Khama Billiat stinging shot. Referee Daniel Bennett handed out the first booking to James Okwuosa after the Nigerian defender brought down an overlapping Tebogo Langerman on the left flank 10 minutes before the break. On the opposite end, Brazilian defender Ricardo Nascimento also got himself in the caution book for committing a foul on the edge of the box.
Tau continued to torment Bucs’ defence, this time turning right-back Thabo Matlaba inside-out before releasing the ball to Anthony Laffor, who tried his luck from outside the edge of the box but struck the ball into the stands.
The skillful Tau forward then took matters into his own hands as he doubled-up Masandawana’s lead following brilliant build up which was instigated by Zwane, who found Khama Billiat at the edge of the box, and the Zimbabwean delivered an exquisite back heel assist to Tau, who made no mistake as he netted his fifth league goal three minutes before the break.
Mosimane handed Anele Ngcongca his PSL debut just before the hour mark. The defender who was marked his return form a lengthy injury and was welcomed by roaring cheers by the Sundowns faithful as he came on for Laffor.
Tau was brought down by Okwuosa in the box, leaving Bennett with no choice but to award the penalty. Nascimento stood over it and calmly slotted home past Mabokgwane. The Brazilian was however withdrawn after increasing the score to 3-0, with Thabo Nthethe coming on in his place.
Five minutes later, Thapelo Morena came close to making it 4-0 after some blistering pace from the centre line, pacing past the midfield and defence, right into the face of goal, but his shot brushed off the bar. Moments later, the right-back made up for his mistake as he calmly passed the ball into the net from close range courtesy of a Tiyani Mabunda assist.
Morena bagged his brace in the 75th minute after benefiting from a scintillating Tau run, who could have finished the move himself, but unselfishly laid it onto Morena. It was Morena’s turn to return the favor as he laid it on to Tau to score the sixth goal for the Brazilians.
