Tshegofatso Mabasa scored a hat-trick to help Orlando Pirates crush Marumo Gallants 8-1 at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday.

The Buccaneers started this game on Tuesday on a high foot as they got a goal within five minutes, through Kenneth Nthatheni’s own goal.

However, in the fifth minute, the referee decided to stop the game due to heavy rain in the field. The game resumed after 15:30 and the Buccaneers got another goal in the eighth minute but Relebohile Mofokeng was ruled out offside by the assistant referee.

Gallants were rewarded with their chance in the 15 minutes, but Phathutshedzo Nange’s header went straight to Sipho Chaine’s hands.

Bahlabane Ba Ntwa continued playing well and they got a great goal in the 23rd minute through former Pirates striker, Gabadinho Mhango.

Immediately after Mhango’s goal, the Buccaneers almost got a second goal but Trevor Mathiane made a great tackle to deny Mabasa an opportunity to score. The first half ended 1-1. In the second half, Riveiro’s side came very strong in the first 10 minutes and fortunately, they got two goals.

Mabasa scored a brace and his goals were assisted by the full-backs Deano Van Rooyen and Deon Hotto. In the 59th minute, the former Stellenbosch right-back Van Rooyen scored the fourth goal for the Buccaneers. The youngster, Mohau Nkota assisted Van Rooyen’s goal.

The 2023/24 Golden Boot winner, Mabasa scored his hat-trick in the 64th minute with a great header from Kabelo Dlamini’s great corner kick. Thalente Mbatha scored the sixth goal for Pirates in the 70 minutes, to make it 6-1 on the score sheet.

Pirates continued with their great display in the game as they were trying to score another goal, and fortunately, Mbatha scored his second goal of the match to make it 7-1.

Paseka Mako, who came in during the second half, assisted Mbatha’s goal. It was not yet over as the home side got a penalty in the 89th minute, and Boitumelo Radiopane made no mistake as he scored a great penalty to make it 8-1. This was the biggest win by Pirates in the PSL era, surpassing that 7-1 over Golden Arrows last season.

This win means the Buccaneers kept their pace with Mamelodi Sundowns, who beat AmaZulu 1-0 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in the other game on Tuesday, extending their lead at the top to 27 points after 10 matches. However, Pirates has a game in hand.