Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane believes Orlando Pirates forward Luvuyo Memela deserved the man of the match award after their 3-1 defeat to the Buccaneers on Saturday.

The left-winger scored the third and final goal in the 83rd minute but was a constant menace throughout the Absa Premiership encounter at Loftus.

The Sea Robbers shocked the league leaders with two goals in the opening twenty minutes from Ntsikelelo Nyauza and Mpho Makola.

Memela's late strike made sure Percy Tau's seventh goal of the season was nothing more than a consolation for the hosts.

Mosimane credited the display from the Buccaneers, claiming they were 'fresher' but felt goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane shouldn't have been awarded the man of the match honours.

"Today I'm happy that they [the players] can sing with the supporters. The last time I was not happy because we had lost but today they tried. They gave everything. This is good for football," Mosimane said to SuperSport TV.

"I'm not happy with the man of the match. I don't know who chooses man of the match. My man of the match is Memela. The guy [Jackson Mabokgwane] sleeps on the floor all the time. He stopped the game for about five times and then he wins man of the match?

"I don't know who chooses the man of the match at SuperSport. It's disappointing. That's my opinion. But I'm happy to be wrong.

"Pirates were fresher. They rested for seven days to come play us. We come from Ajax [on Tuesday] and it's hot. It's not an excuse it's a fact. It's okay."