Relebohile Mofokeng’s quick double gave Orlando Pirates a massive boost in the PSL title race as it helped them to a 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB Stadium on Sunday.
Pirates came into the match with their backs against the wall as they had not won their previous game and stood the risk of ending the day 21 points behind Sundowns in the title race.
As it turned out, it is Pirates who reduced the lead to 15 points, and still with four games in hand, which gives them an opportunity to move to within just three points of the league leaders.
Pirates were celebrating the lead after just four minutes when a quick counter attacking move left Sundowns on the backfoot, Mofokeng slotting a low cross into the back of the net, after being fed by Evidence Makgopa.
What does the result mean?
Two minutes later, Mofokeng and Pirates were celebrating a second goal after the Buccaneers’ high press won them possession in a dangerous area and the 20-year-old's effort from just inside the box hit the post before going in.
The first half ended with Pirates leading 2-0 but Sundowns upped the ante in the second stanza and were rewarded in the 70th minute when Khuliso Mudau charged into the box before finishing with composure to pull one back.
That is how it ended, however, as Pirates avenged last month’s 4-1 defeat at the hands of Sundowns and revived their title hopes which appeared to be fading fast.
Pirates now have 43 points from 19 games, 15 behind leaders Sundowns, who have played 23 matches, and with their four matches in hand, Jose Riveiro’s team can narrow the gap to three points, if they manage to win all their spare matches.
