Pirates equal PSL record with Gallants mauling

Orlando Pirates hammered a hapless Marumo Gallants side 8-1 in a Betway Premiership match played at the Orlando Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

There, the Buccaneers equaled a PSL record as it is the biggest league win since 1996, but they remained second on the standings - three points behind leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns. Bucs will be away to Magesi FC on Sunday in their last match of the year.

Siwelele Sa Marumo, on the other hand, recorded their biggest defeat in the league and they remained 12th in the standings. Gallants will be determined to end the year with a victory when they take on Sekhukhune United on Saturday.

The hosts got off to the perfect start as Deon Hotto’s cross from the left was deflected into the back of the net by Kenneth Nthatheni who handed Pirates an early 1-0 lead against Gallants on a rain-soaked pitch.

However, Siwelele Sa Marumo fought back and they levelled matters in the 23rd minute. Nkosinathi Sibisi failed to clear Monde Mphambaniso's pass and Frank Mhango made no mistake as he beat goalkeeper Sipho Chaine and the score was 1-1 at halftime.

A second-half which was dominated by the Buccaneers followed as Tshegofatso Mabasa scored to make it 2-1 to Pirates in the 47th minute. The goal rattled the Gallants defence as Mabasa grabbed his brace in the 53rd minute to make it 3-1 to the hosts.

Jose Riveiro's side did not take their foot off the pedal as Deano Van Rooyen netted his first goal for Pirates in the 59th to make it 4-1, before eventual Man of the Match Mabasa grabbed his hat-trick five minutes later to make it 5-1 to the rampant home side.

The Soweto giants were not done as Thalente Mbatha netted with a wonderful strike from outside the box in the 70th minute. The Bafana Bafana international then grabbed his brace when he netted with a low shot in the 82nd minute to make it 7-1.

Siwelele Sa Marumo were struggling to contain Bucs' skillful attackers and the hosts were awarded a penalty after Mofokeng was fouled in the box in the 89th minute. Boitumelo Radiopane then stepped up and converted the penalty to seal Pirates' 8-1 win.

Pirates (1) 8 (Nthatheni 1', Mabasa 47', 53', 64', Van Rooyen 59', Mbatha 70', 82', Radiopane 90')

Gallants (1) 1 (Mhango 23')

Pirates: Chaine, van Rooyen, Sibisi, Sesane (Xoli 84'), Hotto (Mako 72'), Mbatha, Makhaula (Tshobeni 77'), Nkota (Gilberto 72'), Dlamini, Mofokeng, Mabasa (Radiopane 72').

Gallants: Arubi, Nthatheni, Mabotja, Mathiane, Khumalo, Msendami, Dhludhlu, Nange (Mokobodi 85'), Mhango, Manaka (Sithole 58'), Mphambaniso (Shai 58').