Orlando Pirates are basking in the glory of their big win over Marumo Gallants, having hammered their rivals 8-1 in the PSL on Tuesday.
Pirates were given a first-minute lead thanks to Kenneth Nthatheni’s own goal before Gabadinho Mhango equalised for Gallants in the 23rd minute but responded in emphatic style with Tshegofatso Mabasa scoring a hat-trick and Thalente Mbatha getting a brace either side of Deano van Rooyen and Boitumelo Radiopane’s penalty.
The win ignited debate on whether it is the biggest ever witnessed in the PSL, with different versions given, but where does it rank in the biggest margins of victory in South Africa’s top flight?
Pirates’ win over Gallants is the joint best result in South Africa’s top flight as it had already been witnessed 20 years ago when SuperSport United beat Thanda Royal Zulu in 2004 as per OptaJabu.
What are the other big wins?
That had been the biggest winning margin until Pirates put eight past Gallants on Tuesday, to equal the record.
The SuperSport win had been preceded by Manning Rangers’ 7-0 win over Hellenic in 2001 and Matsatsantsa did it again seven years after the 8-1 win, this time hammering Maritzburg United 7-0 in 2011.
PSL fans have therefore waited 13 years to see another high scoring game but it was worth the wait given the way Pirates made mince meat of a Gallants team that just collapsed in the second half as seven of the Buccaneers’ eight goals were scored after the break.
