Orlando Pirates delivered a dominant performance on Tuesday night, thrashing newly promoted Kruger United 4-0 at Mbombela Stadium to strengthen their grip on the top of the Betway Premiership table.
The Buccaneers, under coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, extended their impressive unbeaten league run and opened a three-point gap at the summit with 13 points from five matches (four wins and one draw). Mamelodi Sundowns sits second on 10 points and had a game in hand against another promoted side, Milford FC, on Wednesday. Kruger United remain rooted to the bottom of the standings, still searching for their first win of the season with just one point from five games.
Early breakthrough
Pirates made the perfect start. In the fourth minute, Kamogelo Sebelebele was brought down in the box, and Ghampani Lungu coolly converted the resulting penalty to put the visitors 1-0 up. Lungu's evening was cut short by injury, however, and he was replaced by Oswin Appollis before half-time.
Kruger show spirit but lack edge
Kruger United showed spirit in the first half and created a few dangerous dangerous moments, including a shot that struck the upright, but they could not find an equaliser. Pirates remained in control and killed the game off after the break.
Second-half dominance
In the 54th minute, Boitumelo Radiopane doubled the lead, finishing calmly after being set up by Appollis. Substitute Yanela Mbuthuma then stole the show. The striker, who had been searching for his first league goals of the season, scored twice in the closing stages – first tapping in from an Appollis cross in the 79th minute, then completing his brace with a composed finish in a stoppage time (90+2').
What it means
The result underlined Pirates' strong start to the 2026/27 campaign and their continued dominance against promoted sides. They now turn their attention to CAF Champions League preliminary-round action against La Cure Waves of Mauritius at the weekend.