Pirates Bounce Back from MTN8 Heartbreak With Dominant Win Over TS Galaxy
Orlando Pirates closed the gap on the log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns after securing a 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy at Orlando Amstel Arena in their Betway Premiership encounter on Tuesday evening.
Goals from Boitumelo Radiopane, Tshepang Moremi and Simphiwe Masilela were enough for the defending champions to secure three points after the FIFA international break.
The Buccaneers went into the match still reeling from their MTN8 final defeat to Sundowns on Saturday, which ended their hopes of winning the title for a fifth consecutive time.
The victory place them at 22 points from eight matches, with a game in hand.
The match got off to a lively start, with both sides creating chances in the opening 10 minutes. TS Galaxy had an opportunity to take an early lead in the fourth minute, but Lennol Mathebula failed to connect with the ball despite finding himself unmarked inside the box.
Two minutes later, the hosts responded with a chance of their own through Boitumelo Radiopane, who also failed to make contact with the ball inside the penalty area.
However, Radiopane made amends in the 19th minute, finding the back of the net to hand Pirates the lead. The striker finished off an assist from Oswin Appollis to put the Buccaneers 1-0 ahead.
As the game progressed, Pirates began to find their rhythm, while Galaxy pushed forward in search of an equaliser. However, the Buccaneers’ defence remained resolute, denying the visitors a clear route back into the contest.
The first half ended with the hosts holding a narrow 1-0 advantage.
The second half resumed with the hosts extending their lead in the 50th minute through substitute Tshepang Moremi, who scored his fourth goal of the season. He found the back of the net from inside the box following a beautiful assist from debutant Bulelani Sigomoshe.
The Rockets attempted to fight their way back into the contest, with Sedwyn George trying his luck in the 52nd minute, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.
The defending champions continued to dominate proceedings and extended their lead to 3-0 in the 76th minute through youngster Simphiwe Masilela. The young forward produced a brilliant finish, slotting the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs after a well-timed run into the box. The goal marked Masilela’s first for Pirates.
As the second half progressed, Pirates continued to push forward in search of more goals. Kabelo Kgositsile missed an opportunity to further punish Galaxy in the 79th minute after Moremi delivered a well-weighted cross that found him unmarked inside the box. However, he failed to make contact with the ball.
The match ended with the Soweto giants keeping a clean sheet at home.
