Relebohile Mofokeng steals the show with a quick brace as Orlando Pirates inflict revenge on Mamelodi Sundowns in pulsating PSL clash

Relebohile Mofokeng first struck four minutes into the contest when Lucas Suarez slipped up and failed to stop Evidence Makgopa from crossing for the youngster, who beautifully connected into the net to hand Orlando Pirates the lead.

A minute later, some shambolic defending by Mamelodi Sundowns was witnessed again, with Suarez involved again and Mofokeng took advantage to hit the inside of the post before the ball nestled into the back of the net.

Khuliso Mudau then pulled one goal back for the Brazilians with 21 minutes to go after finishing an Iqraam Rayners long cross.

It was some revenge by the Soweto giants, who were beaten 4-1 by Masandawana in the reverse league fixture in February.

Sunday's 2-1 win saw second-placed Pirates closing in on log leaders Sundowns to 15 points and the Buccaneers have four games in hand.

Mofokeng was the star of the show, with two goals in quick succession and made a comeback difficult for Sundowns.

He has last scored in the PSL in December 2024 and his league tally is now at four goals.

Sunday's performance by Mofokeng might have also reminded Sundowmns how he hurt them in last season's Nedbank Cup final as he showed he is a big-game player.

Sundowns players were struggling and slipping up on the FNB turf, but it seemed to affect Lucas Suarez the most.

That led the Argentine to make costly blunders that gifted Pirates an early lead and that could open the door for Malibongwe Khoza to return to the starting line-up.

Pirates and Sundowns now go for the Fifa international break but when they return, the Buccaneers travel to Algeria for a Caf Champions League quarter-final tie against MC Alger on April 1.

On the same day, Sundowns host Esperance at Loftus Versfeld in the same competition as PSL teams seek to be crowned African champions this season.