Orlando Pirates extend their Betway Premiership lead with comfortable win over Marumo Gallants

Orlando Pirates showed little interest in Valentine’s Day sentimentality as they delivered a composed 3–0 victory over Marumo Gallants at the Amstel Orlando Arena on Saturday, extending their advantage at the top of the Betway Premiership standings.

Goals from in-form striker Yanela Mbuthuma, Patrick Maswanganyi and Relebohile Mofokeng provided the home supporters with a fitting Valentine’s Day celebration while extending the Buccaneers’ unbeaten run to 14 matches in all competitions. The victory also opened a six-point gap over title rivals Mamelodi Sundowns.

Ironically, Gallants were the last side to defeat Pirates earlier in the campaign — a 2–1 result that now feels distant as the Soweto club continues to build an increasingly dominant run of form in the title race.

With confidence growing alongside consistency, the atmosphere inside the Arena carried a festive tone. Sections of the crowd were dressed in white and red in recognition of the romantic occasion, while the sea of black-and-white supporters filled the venue with song and expectation.

The Sea Robbers appeared fully aware of the opportunity before them — especially with Sundowns occupied by continental commitments — and approached the match with the discipline and urgency of a team determined to capitalise on every advantage in the championship race.

Despite the celebratory mood in the stands, the match began with real intensity. Gallants, travelling from Bloemfontein with the belief gained from their earlier victory over Pirates, started positively. Former Buccaneer Katlego Otladisa nearly stunned the home crowd in the third minute when his effort struck the upright.

The home side responded immediately. Mofokeng’s precise cut-back created the opening goal, allowing Mbuthuma to finish calmly in the fourth minute and hand the hosts an early breakthrough.

Wave after wave of attack kept Gallants pinned deep in their own half, and in the 28th minute Maswanganyi’s deflected strike slipped past goalkeeper Washington Arubi and into the net, leaving the experienced keeper on his knees and helpless.

The Bucaneers continued to dominate possession and territory, with their only frustration being a lack of clinical finishing that might have settled the contest before half-time.

Gallants head coach Alexandre Lafitte, whose side arrived without a win in seven matches, cut a restless figure on the touchline as they stared at their ninth loss of the season.

Any hopes of a comeback were extinguished when Player of the Match Relebohile Mofokeng produced a moment of individual brilliance, gliding past defenders before finishing confidently to seal the result and reinforce Pirates’ growing authority at the top of the table — while leaving Gallants staring at an increasingly tense battle to steer clear of relegation trouble.