By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Orlando Pirates inched closer towards ending their 14-year league drought when they beat Magesi FC 3-0 on Saturday night at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday evening.
Pirates came out firing from the first whistle, with Patrick Maswanganyi striking early inside eight minutes to stamp their authority.
The vistors kept their foot firmly on the accelerator and doubled their advantage in the 15th minute when Kamogelo Sebelebele calmly found the back of the net.
With the match heading for the half-time break, the tempo of the game dropped drastically, and Pirates went into the tunnel leading 2-0.
Pirates added a third from the penalty spot via Oswin Appollis, after the referee pointed to the spot for a foul on Sebelebele inside the area.
Appollis stepped up and coolly sent Mbali Tshabalala the wrong way to put the Mayfair side firmly in cruise control.
The result leaves Pirates second to turn up the heat on Mamelodi Sundowns in the title race and Limpopo outfit rooted to the bottom of the table with just 21 points from 28 matches, making their drop to the Motsepe Foundation Championship look increasingly inevitable.
The teams will return to Premiership action next Saturday, 16 May, with Pirates at home to Durban City, and Magesi away to Siwelele FC.
Sundowns meanwhile placed one hand on the trophy with a 7-4 victory over Siwelele FC in this 11-goal thriller at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday evening.
Elsewhere TS Galaxy’s winless run in the Betway Premiership stretched to 13 games after they played out to a 1-1 draw with Chippa United at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.