It was as if Mamelodi Sundowns’ Mothobi Mvala showed Orlando Pirates’ Tapelo Xoki on his way home to open the scoring in a thrilling DStv Premiership clash between the reigning champions and the Happy People.
Mvala scored his first goal of the season in the 41st minute but a few minutes earlier, Pirates had the same set-piece when Monnapule Saleng sent a cross into the box, the same way Marcelo Allende hit Mvala.
However, Xoki’s effort found a very alert Ronwen Williams, while at the other end, Siaybonga Mpontshane had to watch the ball sneak into the back of the net.
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The defending champions re-ignited the league with a 2-0 win over their rivals as both sides made sure the supporters got their money’s worth, as fans had to endure the entire match in the rain.
Bafana Style extend their lead at the top of the DStv Premiership as they have now collected 31 points.
However, after the long-awaited return of local football, supporters came in numbers to embrace the opportunity.
Meanwhile, Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena was forced to make a change when Abubaker Nassir was stretchered off after colliding with Mpontshane in the dying moments of the first stanza.
Mokwena brought on the exciting Cassius Mailula to get on the board at the start of the second half.
In the 63rd minute, he returned his coach with a goal, scoring his third in five appearances this season.
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When faithful Masandawana cheered in jubilation for the vicenarian, it was substitute Sipho Mbule who did the ground when Miguel Timm dispossessed the ball.
Mbule then headed past Neo Maema, who ran past Pirates’ Thabiso Monyane before sending a cross into the box. Mphontshane initially made a save, but did not distinguish the danger as the ball fell into the path of Mailula, who got the easiest of tap-ins.
In the 81st minute, Haashim Domingo had a chance to add the cherry on top when he found Allende, and also escaped the offside trap. However, he couldn’t keep his effort anywhere near the mark.