Pirates continued where they left off to extend their winning streak in the league. The Soweto giants scored four passed Stellenbosch in an outstanding performance on Sunday. Pirates coach Jose Riveiro admitted that he expected a much tougher Stellenbosch side on the day.
“We made it look easy, but it wasn’t. Look I will admit that we saw a different Stellenbosch that we were expecting this afternoon,” Riveiro said in his post-match interview.
The Buccaneers displayed a firepower performance in the first half. Thabang Monare set the tone for Pirates as he found the net in the seventh minute with a well-timed header.
Captain Innocent Maela found the back of an empty net to make it 2-0, as Stellies keeper, Sage Stephens came out for a well-placed free kick that found him wanting.
The second half was no different, as Pirates pilled the pressure on Stellenbosch which resulted in more errors from the Cape side. Kermit Erasmus scored his first goal for Pirates after being released from a well-passed ball from Monnapule Saleng. Things got worse for the Cape Town based side when Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo put the final nail in the coffin to make it four. However, Stellies pulled one back courtesy of substitute Mervin Boji but it was a little too late for a comeback.
Monnapule Saleng was named man of the match and deservedly so. Stellies defenders were found wanting, as the left-footed player found tons of space behind their defence.
The win has allowed the Buccaneers to move past their Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs to fourth position and has pushed Kaizer Chiefs down the pecking order to sixth position.
Pirates have scored 7 goals in their last 2 games. Credit must be given to their striking coach Scott Chickelday, who joined the Buccaneers after previously working for Tottenham Hotspurs and Queens Park Rangers in EPL and Championship respectively.
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