Staff Reporter.
Orlando Pirates hammered a hapless Marumo Gallants side 8-1 in a Betway Premiership match played at the Orlando Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
It was a game that was halted due to heavy rain after just three minutes but it couldn’t prevent the thrashing Gallants received, literally from the first minute of the game.
Victory kept second-placed Pirates three points behind defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who snatched a 1-0 win over AmaZulu in Durban despite having goalkeeper Ronwen Williams sent off.
Pirates were ahead within a minute against lowly Marumo thanks to a Kenneth Nthatheni own goal, but conceded midway through the opening half when veteran Malawian Gabadinho Mhango equalised.
Tshegofatso Mabasa, the 16-goal leading Premiership scorer last season, claimed a hat-trick, and Thalente Mbatha netted twice and Deano van Rooyen and Boitumelo Radiopane once each.
Newly appointed Marumo Gallants assistant coach Sundra Govinder and Duncan Lechesa should be disappointed as they would have hoped to impress Gallants management after they seemingly suspended Dan Malesela.
The above-mentioned two coaches are in charge of the team temporarily in the absence of Malesela, who is currently on special leave attending to urgent family matters, according to the club’s report.
Pirates will travel to Limpopo to battle the struggling Magesi FC in a PSL match at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday, December 29, while Gallants will be in league action against Sekhukhune United the day before Bucs’ match at the same stadium.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.