By Michael Madyira
Tshegofatso Mabasa scored three times as Orlando Pirates hammered Golden Arrows 7-1 in a Premier Soccer League match at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
It could have been four goals for Mabasa had he not missed a penalty but it was still a memorable evening for him after first finding the target on 11 minutes.
He then doubled his tally six minutes into the second half before completing his hat-trick with 12 minutes to go.
Also on target for Pirates was Relebohile Mofokeng who scored in the 14th minute while Kabelo Dlamini struck on 32 minutes.
Defender Sandile Mthethwa rose from the bench to add his name to the scoresheet on 75 minutes before another substitute Karim Kimvuidi completed the routing in stoppage time.
Lungelo Nguse’s 77th-minute consolation for Arrows counted for nothing as the Buccaneers ran riot to go a rung up to third position.
It did not take long for the Soweto giants to go in front when Abafana Bas’thende goalkeeper Sifiso Mlungwana punched Makhehlene Makhaula’s cross into the path of Mabasa who fired home.
The visitors then collapsed after Mofokeng sensationally rounded Mlungwana and defender Thabani Zuke before finishing into an empty net.
A minute earlier Mlungwana had denied Mofokeng and the 19-year-old had the Arrows custodian blocking his effort with his leg.
The Abafana Bes’thende keeper again used his legs to deny Tapelo Xoki.
But Arrows’ first chance at goal came on the half-hour mark when Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine blocked a Malinga effort.
Dlamini made life more difficult for their visitors after getting at the end of a Mofokeng feed before curling into the net.
Mabasa could have beaten the halftime whistle by converting a penalty but had his kick saved by Mlungwana after the Arrows stopper had fouled Patrick Maswanganyi inside the box.
The Buccaneers forward then atoned for the missed penalty soon after the restart when he tapped in a Thabiso Lebitso low cross.
Mofokeng could have sealed a double but was denied by the upright with 17 minutes to go and Mthethwa immediately made an impact by heading in a Dlamini cross.
The visitors got their consolation from Nguse as they remained ninth on the table.
Mabasa then completed his hat-trick by again tapping in a cross from Lebitso almost in similar fashion as his second goal while Kimvuidi sealed the drubbing.
Pictured above: Orlando Pirates Tshegofatso Mabasa skilfully controls the ball under the challenge of Golden Arrows defenders
Image source: Orlando Pirates
