Pirates qualify for Champions League after thrashing AmaZulu

A dominant display by Orlando Pirates earned the club a second place finish in the DStv Premiership and a place in the Caf Champion League.

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This is after they thrashed AmaZulu 4-0 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

The home side almost had a bad start to the game as a mistake in the first minute of the game presented Monnapule Saleng with a golden opportunity to get a lead. But the winger’s finish went inches wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Three minute later, Saleng made amends by becoming a supplier as he provided Thabiso Monyane with a beautiful pass to make it 1-0 for the Buccaneers.

Pirates’ defender Sandile Mthethwa made a mistake at the back with the ball almost giving AmaZulu striker Bongi Ntuli a chance to take a shot at goal, but the visitors were able to recover the ball in the 21st minute.

The Usuthu defence was a bit shaky, which saw the Sea Robbers creating a number of goal-scoring opportunities.

In the 36th minute, Saleng once again became the supplier as he laid off the ball for teenager Relebohile Ratomo, and he made it 2-0 to score his first goal for the club.

It was not long before Saleng made it 3-0 for the Buccaneers, as Usuthu continued to struggle with the pace of the away team going into the break.

Pirates were once again dominant in the second half, but getting the fourth goal proved to be difficult. At the other end, AmaZulu kept on chasing their first goal of the match, and they got a chance in the 61st minute, but Ntuli’s chance was saved by Sipho Chaine.

But, Pirates were not done with scoring as they went on to get their fourth goal of the match courtesy of a clinical finish by substitute Kabelo Dlamini with less than 10 minutes of regular time remaining.

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The Soweto giants finished the game strongly, with Usuthu standing no chance to stage a come-back in the game, or to get a consolation goal.

Pirates will be eager to finish the 2022/23 season by lifting the trophy when they take on Sekhukhune United in the Nedbank Cup final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on 27 May.