By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Orlando Pirates eased to a 3-0 win over Marumo Gallants at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon, opening a six-point lead at the top of the table.
Pirates survived an early scare, as former player Katlego Otladisa burst through the defence in the third minute, but his scuffed shot was deflected onto the post by goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
A few minutes later, Pirates made Gallants pay for their miss with Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng combining down the right of the attack before the latter played in a low cross that was turned home at close range by Yanela Mbuthuma for 1-0.
The hosts doubled the lead in the 29th minute when Patrick Maswanganyi unleashed a trademark left-footed strike from outside the box, findng the bottom corner after being teed up by Appollis.
Pirates maintained their tempo and created numerous openings in the second half, they had to be wary of Gallants’ Jaisen Clifford, who proved to be a handful for the Pirates defense and came close to pulling one back.
However, the contest was officially ended in the 85th minute, with Mofokeng deservedly getting his name on the score sheet. The youngster drove into the box and dummied several defenders before finally stabbing a shot into the top corner of the net to seal a 3-0 triumph.
Pirates will be back in action midweek, as they welcome Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday, 18 February. Gallants’ next league match is at home to Durban City on Sunday, 1 March.