The Rockets claimed a sensational 3-2 victory over log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns at the Mbombela Stadium, a result which has placed the Brazilians’ hopes of securing a record-extending ninth consecutive league title in serious doubt. 

It was Sundowns’ final league match of the season, with their focus now shifting to the CAF Champions League final over the next two weeks. Miguel Cardoso’s charges simply had to win in the Lowveld to keep their title defence alive, while also hoping Pirates would lose their remaining two league fixtures.

There is still a mathematical possibility of the Buccaneers slipping up against the Nedbank Cup champions, Durban City, in Soweto, and against Orbit College FC at a venue yet to be confirmed. However, that scenario appears highly unlikely, with Pirates needing just one victory from those matches to dethrone the long-reigning domestic champions.

Early strikes from Victor Letsoalo and Sedwyn George saw Bernard Parker’s Rockets race into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 20 minutes before the Brazilians responded through a quick-fire brace from Bryan Mbeumo Leonel before half-time.

Keagan Mvelase restored the Rockets’ lead seconds after the restart, and they held firm to end Sundowns’ 13-match unbeaten run in the league while dealing a potentially decisive blow to their title ambitions.

Following the defeat, which may ultimately cost Sundowns the championship, Cardoso lamented the congested fixture schedule during the closing stages of the campaign.

“The character of the team was incredible. To come back from 2-0 down under these conditions showed what these players are made of,” said Cardoso.

“We wanted to finish the championship in the best possible way by winning, but the reality is that the players have been pushed to the limit. After Esperance, we played seven matches in 21 days, with four matches in a row every third day. That is incredibly demanding.

Oswin Apollis celebrating a goal for Orlando Pirates. Photo: Morgan Piek

“I think we were beaten not by the opponent, but by the calendar. The fatigue has been clear in the last two matches, and we have conceded goals that we would not normally concede.

“The boys fought until the very end. We didn’t have the legs, but we had the character and desire to keep fighting for the result.

“To recover from 2-0 down and then concede immediately after half-time was a massive emotional blow. It made the challenge even tougher with the energy levels we had.

Orlando Pirates coach Abdes Ouaddou. Photo: Morgan Piek 

“We knew before the match that the physical condition of the squad would make this a very difficult end to the championship. Now the focus is on recovering properly for the Champions League final.”

Sundowns’ attention now fully turns to the two-legged CAF Champions League final against AS FAR Rabat, which gets underway in Pretoria on Sunday. The first leg at Loftus Versfeld kicks off at 16:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh