DSTV PREMIERSHIP: In-form Orlando Pirates dominate KZN trio

The Mighty Buccaneers put four past Royal AM without reply in the DStv Premiership at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday, after previously handing AmaZulu back-to-back defeats in the league and Nedbank Cup.

Their dominant 7-1 drubbing of Golden Arrows at the top end of April indeed served as a signal of intent.

Pirates started April with a bang, beating Arrows by a huge 7-1 scoreline at the Orlando Stadium on 6 April.

That stupendous performance by the Buccaneers saw them race to a 3-0 lead by the half-time whistle.

Riveiro’s men were in cruise control for the rest of the contest, with forward Tshegofatso Mabasa bagging a hat-trick. The rampant result ensured that the Soweto giants kept their CAF Champions League qualification hopes clearly in sight.

Up next was a double-header against a fired-up AmaZulu outfit. The tactically astute Riviero sent compatriot Pablo Martin crashing out of the cup competition before then handing his fellow Spaniard a second defeat within the space of a week in the DStv Premiership.

That league result saw the Bucs occupy second position in the standings – level on points with third-placed Stellenbosch FC.

Pirates then made it four wins in a row when they squared off against an out-of-sorts Royal AM side. Patrick Maswanganyi proved a thorn in the Royal AM defence throughout the match.

Pirates’ comfortable 4-0 victory was inspired by “Tito” who finished the game with two assists and a goal to his name.

The Bafana Bafana international dispatched his first-half spot-kick, before playing in Thalente Mbatha and Kabelo Dlamini in a virtuoso performance to guide the Sea Robbers to another victory as they sailed through April impressively with an unblemished record across all competitions.