Controversial Referee Calls Dominate Mamelodi Sundowns' Victory Over Orlando Pirates -

In a dramatic encounter that left football fans divided, Mamelodi Sundowns secured a crucial victory over Orlando Pirates, maintaining their flawless record in the DStv Premiership.

Mamelodi Sundowns Orlando Pirates — **Siphelo Baloni’s challenge on Themba Zwane that led to Mamelodi Sundowns’ penalty against Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium during the 2023/2024 Dstv Premiership match.**

However, the match’s narrative was dominated not by the brilliance of the players but by two contentious refereeing decisions.

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Mamelodi Sundowns’ Penalty Against Orlando Pirates

The turning point of the game came just 12 minutes in when Themba Zwane of Mamelodi Sundowns was brought down in the penalty area by Orlando Pirates’ Siphelo Baloni.

Referee pointed to the spot, and Ribeiro himself converted the penalty, marking his fifth goal of the campaign.

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The controversy stems from the penalty decision, as upon closer inspection, the contact between Zwane and Baloni appeared to be minimal.

Many spectators questioned whether the challenge warranted such a crucial penalty in a high-stakes encounter.

The Williams And Lepasa Incident

The drama didn’t end there. In the first half, Ronwen Williams, Sundowns’ goalkeeper, collided with Zakhele Lepasa outside the box.

Surprisingly, Williams received only a yellow card for the challenge, sparking outrage among Pirates players and their technical team.

The heated emotions on the sidelines culminated in assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi being sent off.

Despite Pirates’ efforts to regain control in the second half, Mamelodi Sundowns opted for a defensive approach, resulting in a lack of clear-cut chances for either side.

Ultimately, Sundowns managed to hold on to their lead and secure all three points.

Mamelodi Sundowns Extends Lead At The Top Of The Table

With this victory, Sundowns extended their lead at the top of the DStv Premiership table, going 14 points clear of Orlando Pirates, who have two games in hand.

Their dominance in the league is evident, with second-placed Golden Arrows trailing by seven points.

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While the result reaffirmed Sundowns’ position as the team to beat this season, the contentious refereeing decisions and the emotions they elicited will undoubtedly remain a topic of discussion among football enthusiasts, highlighting the importance of fair officiating in the sport.