Orlando Pirates got back to winning ways by thrashing Royal AM 4-2 in their DStv Premiership clash at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Sea Robbers were reeling after their opening-day defeat to Stellenbosch at Danie Craven over the weekend and they showed no mercy against the KZN outfit.
Head coach Jose Riveiro made two changes to the side that lost 1-0 with Relebohile Mofokeng and Paseka Mako included over Fortune Makaringe and Deon Hotto.
But it was Zakhele Lepasa who got the scoring started from the penalty spot before Monnapule Saleng scored a stunner – both within the opening half hour.
Lepasa made it 3-0 with a convincing finish past Mlondi Mpoto 15 minutes later – which forced Royal AM coach John Maduka into significant changes.
He hauled off Sanele Radebe, Thabo Matlaba, Siphesihle Msomi and Menzi Masuku before the break for Sabelo Sithole, Jeffrey Dlamini, Motebang Sera and Hopewell Cele.
And the latter pulled one back before the half-time whistle that fully justified his bold tactical overhaul.
But in the second half, Pirates came out guns blazing once more and Mofokeng could have made it 4-1 after being put clean through on goal by Saleng, only to put his effort wide of Mpoto’s post with the keeper stranded.
But Riveiro’s men proved to be not as clinical and too playful to spare Royal AM some more blushes in the second half.
Instead, Mxolisi Macuphu pulled another back for Royal AM after a mistake by Sipho Chaine in the 88th minute made it a few nervy minutes before Bandile Shandu put the game to bed with Bucs’ fourth goal in the 92nd minute.
The win for Pirates moved them up to third place with three points, while AM languish in 12th with one point after two games played.
