Mofokeng hat-trick propels Pirates to the summit after Galaxy rout

Orlando Pirates surged to the top of the Betway Premiership table in spectacular fashion on Sunday afternoon, dismantling a 10-man TS Galaxy 6-0 at the Mbombela Stadium.

The Buccaneers entered the FIFA international break on a high, leapfrogging Mamelodi Sundowns to claim the summit. While Masandawana hold a game in hand, Abdeslam Ouaddou’s men now sit on 51 points after 22 matches, holding a one-point cushion over the defending champions.

EARLY DRAMA AND RELE MOFOKENG’S OPENER FOR PIRATES

The contest was effectively decided within the opening five minutes. TS Galaxy defender Lentswe Motaung was shown a straight red card in the 4th minute for a professional foul on Tshepang Moremi, leaving the Rockets with a mountain to climb.

From the resulting free-kick, Relebohile Mofokeng stepped up to curl a sublime right-footed shot into the top left corner, setting the tone for a dominant afternoon.

FIRST-HALF ONSLAUGHT

Pirates refused to let up, utilizing their numerical advantage to pin Galaxy back. In the 41st minute, Tshepang Moremi doubled the lead with a clinical left-footed strike from outside the area, assisted by Deon Hotto following a corner routine.

The misery deepened for the hosts just before the interval. In the 44th minute, a period of sustained pressure saw Galaxy captain Mlungisi Mbunjana inadvertently turn the ball into his own net, sending the Buccaneers into the break with a commanding 3-0 lead.

THE MOFOKENG SHOW CONTINUES

The second half turned into a masterclass from Mofokeng and second-half substitute Oswin Appollis, who provided a hat-trick of assists after replacing Andre de Jong at the break.

In the 53rd minute, Mofokeng grabbed his second of the night, finishing off a lightning-fast break orchestrated by Appollis. The provider turned scorer in the 64th minute when Kamogelo Sebelebele found the bottom left corner from the right side of the six-yard box after being set up by Masindi Nemtajela.

Mofokeng completed his hat-trick and the rout in the 69th minute. Once again, it was Appollis who provided the service, finding Mofokeng in the center of the box; the starlet made no mistake, rifling the ball into the top right corner to make it 6-0.

CRUISE CONTROL TO THE SUMMIT

Ouaddou used the final twenty minutes to rotate his squad, introducing Patrick Maswanganyi and Sipho Mbule to see out the result. While TS Galaxy attempted a few late forays through Sphesihle Maduna and Nhlanhla Mgaga, they failed to register a shot on target to trouble the Pirates’ defense.

The 6-0 scoreline marks Pirates’ biggest win of the season and serves as a significant statement of intent in the title race. With 51 points on the board, the Ghost will head into the international break dreaming of league glory.

Meanwhile, at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, Chibuike Ohizu’s first-half strike was enough to see Siwelele FC edge Orbit College FC 1-0. Elsewhere, Golden Arrows secured a 1-0 victory over Sekhukhune United at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium in Durban. Sabelo Sithole was the hero for Abafana Bes’thende, netting in the 82nd minute to hand Arrows all three points.

#BetwayPrem – RESULTS:@orlandopirates are victorious in a high-scoring encounter, with @Siwelele_FC and @goldenarrowsfc1 also securing maximum points on home soil. pic.twitter.com/nbJX4RzFYv

— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) March 22, 2026