In-form Pirates blow Royal AM away

Orlando Pirates thumped Royal AM 4-0 in a DStv Premiership match played at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Despite the win, the Buccaneers remained second in the league standings, but they are now three points behind second-placed Stellenbosch FC with five games left.

Pirates will be away to Cape Town City on Wednesday.

2nd: Stellenbosch 46 points
3rd: Orlando Pirates: 43 points

Amabhakabhaka win to the stay within touching distance of Stellies 🤏#DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/RGjfU5bZZ0

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 28, 2024

Royal AM, on the other hand, remained 13th in the standings - nine points clear of the relegation zone.

Coach John Maduka's side will be keen to ensure that Thwihli Thwahla return to winning ways on Wednesday when they host SuperSport United.

The two teams attacked each other with speed from the start and the Buccaneers were awarded a penalty after Sikhethelo Mabuza was adjudged to have fouled Patrick Maswanganyi in the box.

Maswanganyi then stepped up and converted the penalty to make it 1-0 to the visitors in the 29th minute.

Thwihli Thwahla finished the first half the stronger of the two teams and they were awarded a free-kick in a promising area.

Sedwyn George's attempt from the set-piece was pushed onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi on the stroke of halftime and the score was 1-0 to Pirates at the interval.

Maswanganyi continued to be a thorn in the Royal AM defence after the restart and he grabbed an assist.

The Bafana Bafana international's defensive-splitting pass sent Thalente Mbatha through on goal and the SuperSport United loanee netted to hand Pirates a 2-0 lead in the 56th minute.

Coach Jose Riveiro then introduced Kabelo Dlamini who proved to be very influential as he set up Relebohile Mofokeng whose low effort made it 3-0 to Pirates in the 74th minute.

The Soweto giants' 4-0 victory was sealed by inspired Dlamini who scored with a wonderful looped effort with eight minutes left.

Royal (0) 0

Pirates (1) 4 (Maswanganyi 29', Mbatha 56', Mofokeng 74', Dlamini 82')

Royal: Mpoto, Jiyane, Mabuza (Dlamini 85'), Matlaba, Shezi (Cele 85'), Msomi (Macuphu 65'), Magaqa, Mahlasela, Maxwele, Ndlovu (Thikazi 65'), George (Masuku 85').

Pirates: Buthelezi, Maela, Lebitso (Monyane 17'), Xoki (Mthethwa 60'), Sesane, Makhaula, Mbatha, Maswanganyi (Kapinga 88'), Mofokeng (Kimvuidi 88'), Saleng (Dlamini 60'), Mabasa