Relebohile Mofokeng bagged his first professional hat-trick as Orlando Pirates dismantled TS Galaxy 6-0 to reclaim the top spot in the Betway Premiership. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
A first hat-trick from Relebohile Mofokeng reaffirmed Orlando Pirates’ title ambitions, as they thrashed TS Galaxy 6-0 to return to the summit of the Betway Premiership standings.
The victory, at a buzzing Mbombela Stadium on Sunday afternoon, saw Pirates leapfrog Mamelodi Sundowns to the top of the log with a one-point lead, though the Brazilians still have a game in hand. The advantage remains firmly with Sundowns but Pirates nevertheless made a strong statement in Mbombela with their demolition of the Rockets.
The win keeps Pirates in the hunt for the R20 million winner's prize. For Galaxy, this wasn’t only an embarrassment, but a continuation of their troubles in the league as they’ve now gone seven games without a win.
Having held onto the No 1 spot for the better part of the season, Pirates must have thought they would arrive in the last quarter of the season with their destiny firmly in their hands. But lapses in concentration and inexperience have held them back.
As such, they travelled to Nelspruit needing to swing the pendulum back into their favour amid Sundowns’ continental commitments. They did just that, taking control of matters from as early as the fifth minute.
Continuing to be trusted in the No 9 role ahead of Bafana international Evidence Makgopa, Yanela Mbuthuma repaid the faith Abdeslam Ouaddou showed in him, unleashing Tshepang Moremi on goal. The pacy attacker, with only Galaxy goalkeeper Tape Ira to beat, was stopped in his tracks by a late tackle from Lentswe Motaung.
Referee Jelly Chavani did not hesitate in showing Motaung a red card, as he was the last man. Mofokeng took the set-piece, placing his effort into the top corner.
From thereon, Pirates tore Galaxy apart. Deployed in the No 10 role, Mofokeng embraced the position, not only grabbing three goals but allowing Mbuthuma and Andre de Jong to make runs up front. Ira and his defence could not contain Pirates, even though it took until the 41st minute for the Sea Robbers to get their second goal, with Moremi hitting a long-distance, hard, low shot which beat the Ivorian at his near post.
Pirates had been camped in Galaxy's half, making neat passes, and that played its part in their scoring a third goal just before half-time. In a bid to halt Pirates’ press, the Rockets' Mlungisi Mbunjana made a backpass without realising that Tape was flat-footed; the ball instead rolled into the back of the net.
Chavani paused the onslaught for half-time, but Pirates were back at it after the restart, scoring three more goals. Oswin Appollis, from the bench, weaved into the box before teeing up Mofokeng, who took a few more steps, bypassing defenders to slot the ball past Tape.
Having had a quiet game, Kamogelo Sebelebele finally made his presence known, blasting an effort into the bottom corner from a diagonal position. Thereafter, the sun would set on Galaxy’s efforts, with Mofokeng completing his hat-trick in style. Mofokeng twisted and turned his markers in front of the box before hitting a curling effort which slipped through the "butter-fingers" of Tape and sailed into the top corner.
Pirates did not only show their desire to take the title race to the wire in some style, but Mofokeng proved that he could be the player that Pirates and Bafana Bafana need in the title run-in and upcoming FIFA World Cup preparations.
TS GALAXY 0
ORLANDO PIRATES (3) 6
Mofokeng 5, 53, 69; Moremi 41-own goal; Sebelebele 63