Tshegofatso Mabasa, Thalente Mbatha and Relebohile Mofokeng shine as ruthless Orlando Pirates thrash struggling Marumo Gallants in nine-goal thriller

Orlando Pirates ran riot against Marumo Gallants at the Orlando Stadium on Tuesday afternoon as they beat them 8-1 to secure maximum points in their backyard.

The Buccaneers took the lead within just a minute following an own goal by Kenneth Nthatheni only ten seconds into the match.

Five minutes later, the game was paused temporarily due to severe weather conditions and it restarted after 45 minutes.

The Sea Robbers maintained their dominance in the match, and Relebohile Mofokeng found the back of the net, but his goal was ruled out for offside.

As the match progressed, Bahlabane Ba Ntwa displayed composure and Gabadinho Mhango equalised in the 23rd minute.

The Gallants' goal stirred Pirates as they launched an all-out attack on the Bloemfontein-based team, but they were unable to score with Tshegofatso Mabasa squandering several opportunities.

The two teams went into the half-time break tied at 1-1.

The Soweto giants surged back from the half-time interval firing on all cylinders as Mabasa scored twice within ten minutes before Deano van Rooyen netted the Bucs' fourth goal in the 59th minute.

Mabasa completed his hat-trick in the 64th minute before Thalente Mbatha scored twice in the 70th minute and the 82nd minute. From the substitutes’ bench, Boitumelo Radiopane added Pirates' eighth goal in the 90th minute.

Jose Riveiro's star-studded team remained in second place as Mamelodi Sundowns triumphed in their match against AmaZulu on the same day.

Mofokeng, Deon Hotto, Deano van Rooyen, and other Pirates players were on top of their game at the Orlando Stadium. 

However, Mabasa should be recognized for his ability to distract Gallants' defence and ensure they remained unsettled throughout the entire match as he scored hat-trick.

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.

Before the year ends, 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.

Conversely, Gallants will be in league action against Sekhukhune United the day before Bucs' match at the same stadium.