MBOMBELA, SOUTH AFRICA – In an unforgettable display of brilliance, Relebohile Mofokeng propelled Orlando Pirates to a record-breaking 6-0 victory over TS Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday. The win not only saw the Buccaneers leapfrog Mamelodi Sundowns to reclaim top spot in the Betway Premiership but also marked the club’s largest-ever away victory in PSL history.
Mofokeng Shines in Career-Making Performance
The 21-year-old Mofokeng, often seen as South Africa’s football “poster boy,” was absolutely untouchable on the day, delivering his first-ever professional hat-trick. The tactical shift by Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, moving Mofokeng into a more central No. 10 role, paid off in spectacular fashion.
- 6th Minute: Mofokeng opened the scoring with a sensational free-kick that curled into the top corner.
- 53rd Minute: He doubled his tally after a brilliant exchange of passes with second-half substitute Oswin Appollis.
- 69th Minute: Mofokeng completed his hat-trick with a clinical finish from the edge of the box, sealing his match ball.
“Scoring my first hat-trick is very special,” Mofokeng said after the match. “I’ve been waiting for this moment. It’ll definitely boost my confidence as we enter the final stretch of the season.”
TS Galaxy’s Nightmare
TS Galaxy’s hopes for a competitive game were dashed within minutes of kick-off. In the 4th minute, defender Lentswe Motaung was shown a straight red card for a professional foul on Tshepang Moremi, forcing the Rockets to play with ten men for almost the entire match.
Pirates capitalized ruthlessly on their numerical advantage, with Mofokeng’s trio of goals complemented by further strikes from:
- Tshepang Moremi (41st minute)
- Mlungisi Mbunjana (Own Goal, 44th minute)
- Kamogelo Sebelebele (64th minute), who scored against his former club to complete the 6-0 scoreline.
The Title Race Intensifies
This dominant victory moves Orlando Pirates to the top of the Betway Premiership with 51 points, overtaking Mamelodi Sundowns, who trail by just one point with a game in hand. The nature of this emphatic win sends a powerful psychological message to the defending champions.
Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou expressed pride in his team’s clinical finishing, noting that they converted nearly 80% of their chances—an impressive turnaround from their recent 1-1 draw against Siwelele.
What’s Next for Mofokeng and the Buccaneers?
With the league entering an international break, Mofokeng will join the Bafana Bafana squad for World Cup warm-up matches against Panama. There is growing speculation whether his new central “playmaker” role will become a permanent fixture in the future.
