Orlando Pirates kept their Absa Premiership title hopes alive after thrashing defending champions Bidvest Wits 4-0 at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday evening, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
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The game got off to a relatively quiet start with both sides trying to find their rhythm in the opening exchanges of the match.
The Buccaneers drew first blood when they opened the scoring after 12 minutes when Luvuyo Mamela’s strike was deflected off Sifiso Hlanti and into the back of his own net.
Pirates came close to doubling their lead in the 21st minute, but Kyle Peters was on hand to deny Justin Shonga’s effort.
The home side then doubled their lead in the 36th minute when Augustine Mulenga capitalised on a poor back pass before guiding the ball into the net to make it 2-0.
Pirates were then awarded a penalty four minutes from the break. Shonga stepped up and made no mistake to convert the spot kick, leaving the score 3-0 at half-time.
The Clever Boys started the second half off brightly and enjoyed the majority of possession, but failed to create any clear-cut opportunities in the final third.
At the other end, Pirated nearly extended their lead after Mulenga unleashed a strike at goal, but the forward was denied by the Wits shot-stopper.
Mulenga made it 4-0 in the 58th minute when he latched on to a loose ball in the area before beating Kyle Peters to slot the ball home.
The visitors grew in confidence as the game went on and saw more possession while Pirates looked to catch Wits out on the counterattack.
Wits nearly pulled a goal back after 82 minutes but Lehlohonolo Majoro saw his shot cleared off the line following an error by Siyabonga Mpontshane.
Majoro had another chance to score a consolation goal for his side when he produced a strike from close range, but Mpontshane was on hand to deny the former Pirates man.
However, Pirates held on to their four-goal lead over Wits until the final whistle to claim all three points in an empty Orlando Stadium.
Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
