Mamelodi Sundowns vs Orlando Pirates: 5 Highlights From Masandawana’s Draw With the Buccaneers

• Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates played out an entertaining DStv Premiership draw
• Orlando Pirates were gifted a questionable penalty that allowed Tapelo Xoki to equalise
• Masandawna dropped points again as they drew their third consecutive league fixture

For a team of Mamelodi Sundowns' standards, they may consider it a wobble.

Rulani Mokwena's men took the lead against a 10-man Orlando Pirates but the Sea Robbers burgled a surprise penalty to earn a point.

Mokwena was unhappy at full-time, while his Spanish counterpart was pleased with the implementation of new ideas, even while lamenting not finishing the game with a full complement of players.

Sports Brief takes a look at the flashpoints and observations from Sundowns' 1-1 draw with Pirates.

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5 Sundowns vs Pirates highlights

1. Tapelo Xoki penalty

Abdelmounaim Boutouil may have felt the wrath of Mokwena in the change room after the game. Even if the referee seemed looking for a reason to give Pirates a penalty, the Sundowns defender had no need to manhandle Tapelo Xoki.

Mokwena did express his disdain for the man with the whistle and the incident is just another example of the PSL's dire need for VAR. Although having seen how it has negatively affected the Premier League, one should be careful what one wishes for.

2. Miguel Timm red

Miguel Timm won the change room bet on who could leave their studs on Thembinkosi Lorch first and he picked up an early yellow card as his penance.

His second yellow was less obvious but in a game of this magnitude, the risk of leaving a foot on the keeper is never worth the reward. Pirates could have been the first team to down 'Downs but his dismissal ended those hopes.

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3. Thembinkosi Lorch

The surprise signing of this, or any of the recent transfer windows, had an ineffectual and rather bland hour before he was substituted.

Part of the Supersport commentary team was Teko Modise, a player who once made the same switch from Pirates to Sundowns. Modise stated that the game may have been too early for Lorch but backed the player to find his feet soon.

4. Ronwen Williams still on a high

Williams played with the poise of a man who is feeling on top of the world. He certainly has reason to be as he was a massive part of South Africa's bronze medal run at AFCON 2023.

Goalkeepers are not the favourites in a penalty shootout so Xoki's goal is no blemish on his performance. Sundowns are lucky to have a gloveman who seems unbeatable from open play.

5. Sundowns' squad depth is incredible

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Without the bulk of Mokwena's first-choice XI, Sundowns still look by far and away the best team in the league. Squad depth such as that will make them nearly impossible to overhaul in the coming years.

They are rumoured to have spent in the region of R50 million on debutant Matias Esquivel, something few, if none, of their rivals are able to do. Without some form of regulation, their name will be on the trophy for years to come.

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The Glamour Boys resume their DStv Premiership campaign on Sunday afternoon against Royal AM.