Yanela Mbuthuma of Orlando Pirates , centre, lead celebrations during their 4-0 drubbing of Kruger UNited in the Betway Premiership match .
Image: BackpagePix
Orlando Pirates maintained their stranglehold on their Betway Premiership title defence after hammering Kruger United 4-0 at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Tuesday night.
Pirates remain at the top of the standings with 13 points, three clear of second-placed Mamelod Sundowns, who have a game in hand and will face Milford at home on Wednesday night.
Pirates will take confidence from this win as they turn their focus to continental football, facing La Cure Sylvester of Mauritius in the first leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round away on Saturday afternoon (1.30pm).
Qualifying for the Champions League group stage remains a priority for Pirates this season, especially after their campaign was marred by an exit in the final qualifying round last season.
Having made a strong start to the season – winning six and drawing one of their first seven matches across all competitions – Pirates have also reached a fifth successive MTN8 final. They were determined to maintain that momentum tonight.
They did just that, inflicting more pain on newcomers, Kruger. Ironically, the league's whipping boys are rooted to the bottom of the standings with just one point from five matches.
Pirates sprang into an early lead, as expected. Talisman Ghampani Lungu converted from the spot after referee Joseph Makhubo, acting on the advice of his assistant, judged that Vusi Sibiya had brought down Kamogelo Sebelebele inside the box.
The Sea Robbers’ cruise hit a snag when the in-form Lungu was stretchered off following a knock, with Oswin Appollis taking his place. While the Bafana Bafana international brought flair to the attack, Kruger threatened to turn the game on its head by attacking with purpose.
Makhubo initially denied The Village Boys a penalty after Aphiwe Mphothe’s shot, opposite the goalmouth, struck the arm of Lebone Seema. It appeared to be the correct call from the whistleblower, as Seema’s arm was tucked close to his body.
The hosts didn’t despair, launching a wave of attacks. Their hard work almost paid off when a diagonal ball into the Pirates box found Mphothe, who headed it down. However, the resulting effort was cleared off the line by Sibangani Zulu with Sipho Chaine at full stretch.
Kruger were unfortunate not to equalise before half-time. Ebrahim Seedat sent in an inviting cross that found an unmarked Mlungisi Zwane, but his final shot struck the upright at the near post.
Having survived those first-half scares, Pirates upped the ante. Boitumelo Radiopane scored his second goal in as many league matches after being put through by Appollis, composing himself before slotting past Fiacre Ntwari from close range.
Pirates sought to extend their lead, with coach Abdeslam Ouaddou introducing fresh legs in Yanela Mbuthuma and Simphiwe Selepe.
Mbuthuma continued his impressive form – following his brace against Sekhukhune United in the MTN8 semi-final last Saturday – by tapping home an Appollis assist before beating the offside trap to compose himself, and loft the ball over Ntwari and into the back of the net.
Mbuthuma’s brace eased the pressure of his recent drought, while helping Pirates maintain their comfortable position at the top of the standings.
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