Orlando Pirates secured back-to-back wins in the DStv Premiership for the first time this season after they thumped Stellenbosch 4-1 at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Buccaneers never looked back after Thabang Monare opened the scoring on seven minutes, with Innocent Maela doubling their lead midway through the first half before Kermit Erasmus and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo wrapped up the victory in the second half.
Steve Barker's side managed just one attempt at goal throughout the entire 90 minutes, which came when Mervin Boji bagged a consolation 16 minutes from time and the Maroons head coach will be under immense pressure after going eight games without a win now.
A statement victory from Jose Riveiro and Orlando Pirates ??
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) January 22, 2023
They move up to fourth in the #DStvPrem standings?? pic.twitter.com/XE9cUKfEpx
Pirates bossed proceedings in the first half and created a whole host of chances as they pegged Stellies back from the get-go.
The hosts hit the front from their first foray into the final third on minutes when Monare rose above his marker to plant a header beyond Sage Stephens from a free-kick.
?? The Cross
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) January 22, 2023
?? The Header
Thabang Monare gives Orlando Pirates an early lead against Stellenbosch ???
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Bucs sniffed more goals and Deon Hotto almost pounced on a defensive lapse on the right to force Stephens into a decent save at his near post on 21 minutes.
But the home fans were celebrating again moments later as Maela was left with the simple task of slotting into an open net following a Howler from Stephens.
Monnapule Saleng curled a shot inches over the crossbar on 28 minutes after cutting inside from the right on 28 minutes and the woodwork came to the visitors' rescue five minutes later when Bandile Shandu struck the left post with his angled strike from the right.
The Soweto giants kept piling on the pressure, with Maela drawing a fine save out of Stephens on 38 minutes after being picked out by Hotto, who then crossed for Saleng to fire an effort over the target from inside the box in the 45th minute.
Pirates didn't relent in the second half and Erasmus fired over from range on 50 minutes after a surging run before Kabelo Dlamini tested Stephens with a shot from inside the box four minutes later, having been set up by Hotto.
The contest was over by the hour mark as Erasmus converted Saleng's cross at close range to make it 3-0, while Ndlondlo got in on the act in the 63rd minute when he beat Stephens with a venomous shot from distance.
Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo fires one in from distance ??
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) January 22, 2023
Sage Stephens stood NO CHANCE ?
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Terrence Dzvukamanja nearly made a swiftly impact off the bench with a shot from an acute angle on the left that was saved by Stephens at his near post on 65 minutes before the Maroons pulled one back out of nowhere nine minutes later when Boji steered a header past Sipho Chaine from a corner.
Dzvukamanja had a further three opportunities to get his name on the scoresheet late on but he failed to hit the target on either occasion, while Ndlondlo was unable to repeat his earlier feat as Stephens denied him from distance on stoppage time.
Orlando Pirates (2) 4 (Monare 7', Maela 22', Erasmus 59', Ndlondlo 63')
Stellenbosch (0) 1 (Boji 74')
Orlando Pirates: S. Chaine, B. Shandu (C. Martin 61'), T. Xoki, N. Sibisi, I. Maela (P. Mako 76'), N. Ndlondlo, T. Monare (B. Motshwari 75'), D. Hotto, K. Dlamini, M. Saleng (V. Pule 85'), K. Erasmus (T. Dzvukamanja 61').
Stellenbosch: S. Stephens, D. van Rooyen, O. Makhanya, A. Mcaba, K. Letsoenyo (Q. Sibande 61'), D. Titus (M. Boji 46'), S. Nduli (O. Andries 61'), S. Mthethwa (N. Mgaga 78'), I. Jabaar, J. Adams, A. Van Wyk (S. Mngomezulu 46').