PIRATES PUT ON A FOOTBALL MASTERCLASS

Written by: Kamogelo Mogale

Orlando Pirates displayed a football masterclass as they hammered Marumo Gallants 8-1 in their betWay premiership match at the Orlando stadium on Tuesday afternoon. The Buccaneers opened the scoring charts through an own goal by Gallants’ Kenneth Nthatheni, wrong-footing goalkeeper Washington Arubi, giving Pirates an early lead.

Siwelele sa Marumo striker Gabadinho Mhango leveled matters against his former side after play resumed, having been suspended due to inclement weather conditions, ensuring a more evenly poised encounter at the halftime break.

The Sea Robbers unleashed a fury attack in the second half, putting on their scoring boots as towering striker and man of the match Tshegofatso Mabasa scored a hat-trick, his second following Pirates’ 7-1 thrashing of Lamontville Golden Arrow in April.

Thalente Mbatha added more woes to Gallants, as he scored a brace with Deano van Rooyen scoring his first goal of the club while players on the bench displayed comradery, ushering teammates to give Boitumelo Radiopane a penalty to seal the deal for Soweto giants.

The victory sees Pirates significantly improving their goal difference, keeping them within striking distance to reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who earlier edged Amazulu to victory in the dying minutes of the game but remain top of the premiership table, three points adrift of Jose Riveiro’s charges.

It remains to be seen if Gallants’ ship will sink or sail as coach Daniel “Dan-dance” Malesela has been put on special leave days before the match, flattering with relegation but remain two points adrift to relegation zone candidates Amazulu, Royal AM, Richards Bay FC and Magesi FC.