Orlando Pirates kept in touching distance of second place in the DStv Premiership with a 4--0 thrashing of Royal AM on Sunday afternoon.
Crucial suspensions for the Buccaneers forced the club to give starts to goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi, Innocent Maela, Thalente Mbatha and Monnapule Saleng following the win at AmaZulu.
Pirates lacked a bit of rhythm fresh from kick-off though managed to come alive later on and saw Patrick Maswanganyi stung the gloves of Mondli Mpoto.
Maswanganyi continued to work magic and won a penalty before the half-hour mark after going down and executed the resultant effort to make it 1-0. However, replays showed the foul took place just outside of the box.
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The Buccaneers missed a golden chance to add another later on with a first-time strike from Saleng following a ball in behind, but he scooped his effort over the target.
However, Thwihli Thwahla were on the up ahead of the interval and hit the crossbar following a powerful free-kick from the edge of the area by Sedwyn George.
Following the second period, the lion share of momentum remained with the Buccaneers and were denied a second when Mpoto rushed off the line to court Saleng from close-range.
Pirates did go further in front though after a pin-point pass released Mbatha on the far side and the youngster made no mistake but timed his run to finish with composure.
Fellow rising star Relebohile Mofokeng compounded matters for the host inside the final ten minutes when he ran in to the far side to apply an intelligent finish.
The Buccaneers continued to run riot as Kabelo Dlamini ran onto Maswanganyi’s loose pass to go wide and slam in the far corner from a tight angle.
Pirates were able to maintain the lead as the clock ticked away and comfortably ran out victorious in the end to continue their chase for second spot.
Confirmed line-ups:
Royal AM: Mpoto, Matlaba, Jiyane, Mabuza, Shezi, Msomi, Magaqa, Mahlasela, Maxwele, Ndlovu, George
Subs: Nyame, Manganyi, Kobedi, Dlamini, Masuku, Cele, Thikazi, Macuphu, SeraOrlando Pirates: Buthelezi, Maela, Sesane, Xoki, Lebitso, Makhaula, Mbatha, Mofokeng, Maswanganyi, Saleng, Mabasa
Subs: Mpontshane, Mthethwa, Balonii, Kimvuidi, Kapinga, Dlamini, Makgopa, Ndlondlo, Monyane
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