By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
Betway premiership champions Orlando Pirates handed the newcomers Kruger United a 4-0 drubbing at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga on Tuesday evening.
The victory saw Pirates move three points clear of the second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, who will play another newly-promoted outfit in Milford FC on Wednesday night.
Pirates got the game off to a flyer and were awarded a penalty in the second minute of the match after Kamogelo Sebelebele drew a foul inside the area from Kruger United’s Katlego Mohamme.
Ghampani Lungu made no mistake from the spot as he sent the keeper diving the wrong way with a shot toward the bottom right corner.
Pirates doubled their lead early into the second half with Boitumelo Radiopane getting his name on the scoresheet for the second game running. After a quick passing move toward the Kruger area, Oswin Appollis picked out the striker with an accurate through ball who subsequently shrugged off his opposite marker before slotting the ball home calmly.
The Soweto giants added a third in the 78th minute following yet another incisive transition move, led by a spirited Appollis, he grabbed another assist by squaring the ball to Yanela Mbuthuma inside the 18-yard-area, who finished from close range.
Mbuthuma closed the show with a classy effort deep into stoppage time as Pirates hit the four-goal mark for the first time this season and to wrap up a big victory.
Meanwhile Durban City and Stellenbosch FC played out a frustrating 0-0 draw in their Betway Premiership match at the Chatsworth Stadium also on Tuesday evening.