Orlando Pirates secured a convincing 6-0 win against 10-man TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga on Sunday afternoon to return to the top of the Betway Premiership log standings.
The Buccaneers came into the match trailing rivals Mamelodi Sundowns by two points. Masandawana are not in action in the league this weekend due to their CAF Champions League match against Stade Malien.
There was drama in the Galaxy-Pirates match as early as the third minute after the home side were reduced to 10-men. Lentswe Motaung was given a straight red card for a foul on Yanela Mbuthuma.
Pirates capitalised immediately with Relebohile Mofokeng scoring a stunning free kick in the sixth minute of the match.
ORLANDO PIRATES PROVED TO BE CLINICAL AGAINST TS GALAXY
After that, it was Pirates versus TS Galaxy goalkeeper Ira Eliezer Tapa as the visitors launched countless attacks. The Ivorian goalkeeper was forced to make a brilliant save after a shot from Mbuthuma outside the box in the 33rd minute.
Thalente Mbatha unleashed a powerful shot outside the 18-area box two minutes later, but Tapa was well placed to make a save.
Tapa produced a world-class save five minutes before the halftime break after a strike from Andre de Jong. But the Buccaneers extended their lead a minute later. The visitors were finally rewarded with a second goal after a long shot from Tshepang Moremi outside the 18-area box.
Another moment of drama unfolded just a minute before the interval as Galaxy captain Mlungisi Mbunjana conceded an own goal. Mbunjana had intended to pass back to Ira Tapé, but the Ivorian goalkeeper slipped and was left stranded as the ball rolled into the net.
A HAT-TRICK FROM RELEBOHILE MOFOKENG SECURES MAXIMUM POINTS FOR THE BUCCANEERS
The Buccaneers continued where they left off in the first half as Mofokeng scored a fourth, 10 minutes into the second stanza.
Kamogelo Sebelebele added another one in the 64th minute after his shot beat a helpless Tapa. The Buccaneers were on fire as they added one more through Mofokeng, who also scored his third of the match.
Pirates are now on 51 points with eight matches to play, while Sundowns are on 50 points with nine matches to play.
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