Orlando Pirates are enjoying an early cruise in the Betway Premiership after registering their fourth victory of the season in five matches, this time with a convincing 4-0 drubbing of Kruger United at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday night.
The victory allowed the Sea Robbers to open a three-point gap at the top of the table, with Pirates moving to 13 points from five matches. Mamelodi Sundowns remain second on 10 points with a game in hand, while Kaizer Chiefs occupy third position on eight points.
Back to the game, Pirates showed their determination to sink the Mpumalanga-based side deeper into the football doldrums when they opened the scoring as early as the fourth minute.
Ghampani Lungu made no mistake from the penalty spot after Pirates were awarded a spot-kick following a foul inside the Kruger United box. Lungu sent goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari the wrong way to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.
The goal was followed by an unfortunate moment for Lungu, who was forced off the field on a stretcher after sustaining a hamstring injury. He was replaced by Oswin Appollis.
Kruger tried to fight their way back into the contest and came close to an equaliser in the 19th minute when Aphiwe Mphothe headed a Boitumelo Malatjie cross over the crossbar.
The hosts continued to threaten towards the end of the first half, but Pirates’ defence stood firm. Mphothe was denied again when his header was cleared off the line by Sbangani Zulu.
Pirates therefore went into the halftime break with a narrow 1-0 advantage.
The Buccaneers, however, returned from the interval with renewed purpose and doubled their advantage in the 54th minute.
Boitumelo Radiopane showed strength to outmuscle Katlego Mohamme before firing a low shot past Ntwari to make it 2-0.
With Kruger forced to chase the game, gaps began to appear at the back, and Pirates took full advantage.
Yanela Mbuthuma added the third goal in the 79th minute, putting the result beyond doubt and leaving Kruger with a mountain to climb.
The striker was not finished.
Mbuthuma completed his brace in stoppage time, finding himself through on goal before calmly chipping the advancing Ntwari to seal a comprehensive 4-0 victory for the defending champions.
The result leaves Pirates unbeaten after five league matches and three points clear of Sundowns at the summit.
For Kruger United, the defeat leaves them winless after five matches and rooted to the bottom of the Betway Premiership standings with just one point.
Pirates will now shift their attention to continental football, with their CAF Champions League campaign awaiting them, while Kruger face the difficult task of recovering from another heavy defeat as they continue their battle to survive their first season in the top flight.