Five penalties were awarded in a South African Premiership match this weekend which title challengers Mamelodi Sundowns won 3-2 against Ajax Cape Town.

Ironically, Ajax converted their two while Sundowns fluffed two of three with one cannoning off the crossbar and another brilliantly saved.

The result at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria confirmed expensively-assembled Sundowns as the likely main threat to leaders Kaizer Chiefs.

Called the 'Brazilians' because their colours and style of football resemble those of the five-time world champions, second-place Sundowns trail by six points but have a game in hand.

Recent signing Thabo Nthethe, Katlego Mashego and Liberian Anthony Laffor were on target for the home side and Nathan Paulse and Lance Davids for the visitors.

Apart from failing to convert two spot-kicks, Sundowns were also denied by the woodwork in open play as Bongani Zungu struck the post.

Chiefs, whose nine-match winning run ended in midweek when held 2-2 at lowly Maritzburg United, did not play this weekend because of CAF Champions League commitments.

Orlando Pirates, runners-up to Al-Ahly of Egypt in the premier African club competition last year, were shock 1-0 losers at lowly Polokwane City.

Sipho Jembula snatched the first half winner, punishing a defensive mix-up involving goalkeeper and Ghana 2014 World Cup hopeful Fatau Dauda.

It was a third loss in five league outings this year for Pirates, who named Serb Vladimir Vermezovic coach this weekend after Roger de Sa quit citing exhaustion.

The 'Buccaneers' are seventh on the 16-club standings, -- 17 points behind arch-rivals Chiefs with four matches in hand.