By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
The Betway premiership defending champions Orlando Pirates returned to the winning ways following a 3-0 win over TS Galaxy at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Tuesday night.
Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made five changes to the team that suffered a 2-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final last weekend.
The home side took the lead in the 18th minute when Boitumelo Radiopane finished off a sleek move that was started by Simphiwe Masilela in the middle of the park.
Ouaddou made one change at the start of the second half, bringing in Tshepang Moremi in place of Ghampani Lungu, and it took less than five minutes for the Bafana Bafana forward to make an impact as he doubled Pirates’ lead, beating Ira Tape with a right-footed low shot from a rebound.
Sedwyn George came agonisingly close to pulling one for Galaxy in the 53rd minute, but his shot hit the crossbar with Sipho Chaine well-beaten.
Galaxy were to be punished for this miss in the 77th minute when Masilela put the final nail in their coffin by putting the ball in between Tape’s legs for the third goal for Pirates.
Galaxy had no answer to Pirates’ dominance while the likes of Thulani Zandamela and Mathebula attempted to create opportunities for their side, none of which troubled Pirates defence.
Meanwhile Mamelodi Sundowns secured a seventh league win of the season to maintain their place atop the Betway Premiership, as they defeated Richards Bay 4-1 at the Princess Magogo Stadium.
Elsewhere Kaizer Chiefs fought back to hold Stellenbosch FC to a 1-1 draw in a Betway Premiership match played at the FNB Stadium and AmaZulu FC claimed a 2-1 win against Durban City at the Chatsworth Stadium on Tuesday evening.