Mamelodi Sundowns ended Orlando Pirates’ 14-match unbeaten run in the Betway Premiership following their 2-1 victory at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Brazilians had to wait until the 36th minute to break the deadlock when Nuno Santos picked out Brayan Leon with a lovely ball over the top before he controlled the ball to fire it into the top corner.
🏆 𝔹𝔼𝕋𝕎𝔸𝕐 ℙℝ𝔼𝕄 🏆
37'- GOOAAAAAL!!
Brayan Leon bags the opener for the Brazilians after a sublime spot by Nuno Santos and some questionable Pirates defending…
🚨 LIVE
📺 SABC 3
📱 https://t.co/6z6eLA9mB0#SABCSportFootball pic.twitter.com/xyJoo4K1bi— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) February 18, 2026
Sundowns doubled their lead in the 40th minute when Aubrey Modiba played a superb through ball to Leon, who side-footed the ball past Sipho Chaine, despite having two defenders on him.
🏆 𝔹𝔼𝕋𝕎𝔸𝕐 ℙℝ𝔼𝕄 🏆
40'- GOOAAAAAL!!
JUST LIKE THAT…Sundowns score their second and it's Leon again👆👆
🚨 LIVE
📺 SABC 3
📱 https://t.co/6z6eLA9mB0#SABCSportFootball pic.twitter.com/YqTWprpQUU— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) February 18, 2026
The match went into the half-time break with Sundowns taking a two-goal lead into the interval.
Pirates came out the better side in the second-half and reduced the deficit when Patrick Maswangany’s deflected shot beat Ronwen Williams to find the back of the net.
🏆 𝔹𝕖𝕥𝕨𝕒𝕪 ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕞𝕚𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡 🏆
⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: The Buccaneers have reduced the margin!
𝐎𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐏𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 1⃣➖2⃣ 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐢 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬
🚨 LIVE
📺 SABC 3
🌐 https://t.co/z8ZQ9bYRYW#SABCSportFootball #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/rOTW7cpeLx— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) February 18, 2026
Sundowns should have restored their two goal lead in the 68th minute but Khulumani Ndamane hit the crossbar with his header.
However, Sundowns held on to their lead until the final whistle to secure the win and claim all three points and reduce Pirates lead at the top of the table.
