ORLANDO Pirates lost the potential to close the gap on Absa Premiership log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, stumbling to their sixth league defeat of the season after a 3-0 drubbing by Santos last night.
Within 48 hours after coach Julio Leal was suspended by chairman Irvin Khoza and Augusto Palacios roped in in a caretaker capacity, the Buccaneers lost ground on Sundowns following their below-par performance away from home.
Santos showed early intent at Athlone Stadium and grabbed the opening goal after just 90 seconds on the clock when striker Erwin Isaacs received a route-one pass from defender Wayne Arendse and his acceleration was just too much for the Pirates defence.
Santos' second goal of the match came from Eleazar Rogers just after the hour mark.
The tall marksman also netted his second goal of the night - The People's Team's third of the match - in the 73rd minute when Pirates had fallen apart. The Buccaneers were overwhelmed by the early goal and never looked like getting back into level terms soon after that.
Santos also made it all the more difficult by parking the bus in goal - the towering physique goalkeeper Dembo Touray preventing the limited chances the visitors had from turning into goals.
Even Benni McCarthy was ineffective and subdued following Santos' second goal by Ndumiso Mabena.
While still in charge, Leal had managed to beat Santos twice already this season - once in the cup in August and in a home league fixture at Orlando Stadium in September.
Pirates' run of four successive league wins also came to an end last night.
Bucs remain four points behind Sundowns and are tied with Kaizer Chiefs - who have a game in hand - at third spot on the table.
The Buccaneers now head into the Soweto derby against Chiefs at Soccer City on Saturday low on morale and needing to turn things around to stay in the title chase. Santos registered the club's second win in four matches with last night's result as they seek to move away from the relegation zone. They are currently 13th on the log - five points away from danger.
l David Mathebula netted a first-half goal to give Moroka Swallows a 1-0 Premiership win over Free State Stars at Charles Mopeli Stadium in another match last night.
This was Stars' first loss of the campaign at this venue where they are often difficult to beat.
The on-form midfielder latched on to a cross from veteran striker Siyabonga Nomvethe inside the box to drill home the crucial winner after 14 minutes.
Swallows now move up to fourth spot on the log standings from the maximum three points gained from this hard-fought victory.
Stars, though, came back in search of an equaliser soon after conceding as Mpho Makola tested Swallows goalkeeper Greg Etafia, with the Nigerian up to the task.
l In Port Elizabeth, Maritzburg United surprised pre-match favourites Bloemfontein Celtic 2-0 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, courtesy of Prince Olomu and Kurt Lentjies goals.
Olomu scored against his former employers much against the run of play in the 39th minute, before Lentjies sealed the tie for the visitors when he netted from the penalty spot in the 71st minute.
l Thuso Phala's 50th minute goal was enough for Platinum Stars to bag maximum points over Lamontville Golden Arrows at Moruleng Stadium. - Additional reporting by Sapa
Pirates bite dust
ORLANDO Pirates lost the potential to close the gap on Absa Premiership log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, stumbling to their sixth league defeat of the season after a 3-0 drubbing by Santos last night.
Within 48 hours after coach Julio Leal was suspended by chairman Irvin Khoza and Augusto Palacios roped in in a caretaker capacity, the Buccaneers lost ground on Sundowns following their below-par performance away from home.
Santos showed early intent at Athlone Stadium and grabbed the opening goal after just 90 seconds on the clock when striker Erwin Isaacs received a route-one pass from defender Wayne Arendse and his acceleration was just too much for the Pirates defence.
Santos' second goal of the match came from Eleazar Rogers just after the hour mark.
The tall marksman also netted his second goal of the night - The People's Team's third of the match - in the 73rd minute when Pirates had fallen apart. The Buccaneers were overwhelmed by the early goal and never looked like getting back into level terms soon after that.
Santos also made it all the more difficult by parking the bus in goal - the towering physique goalkeeper Dembo Touray preventing the limited chances the visitors had from turning into goals.
Even Benni McCarthy was ineffective and subdued following Santos' second goal by Ndumiso Mabena.
While still in charge, Leal had managed to beat Santos twice already this season - once in the cup in August and in a home league fixture at Orlando Stadium in September.
Pirates' run of four successive league wins also came to an end last night.
Bucs remain four points behind Sundowns and are tied with Kaizer Chiefs - who have a game in hand - at third spot on the table.
The Buccaneers now head into the Soweto derby against Chiefs at Soccer City on Saturday low on morale and needing to turn things around to stay in the title chase. Santos registered the club's second win in four matches with last night's result as they seek to move away from the relegation zone. They are currently 13th on the log - five points away from danger.
l David Mathebula netted a first-half goal to give Moroka Swallows a 1-0 Premiership win over Free State Stars at Charles Mopeli Stadium in another match last night.
This was Stars' first loss of the campaign at this venue where they are often difficult to beat.
The on-form midfielder latched on to a cross from veteran striker Siyabonga Nomvethe inside the box to drill home the crucial winner after 14 minutes.
Swallows now move up to fourth spot on the log standings from the maximum three points gained from this hard-fought victory.
Stars, though, came back in search of an equaliser soon after conceding as Mpho Makola tested Swallows goalkeeper Greg Etafia, with the Nigerian up to the task.
l In Port Elizabeth, Maritzburg United surprised pre-match favourites Bloemfontein Celtic 2-0 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, courtesy of Prince Olomu and Kurt Lentjies goals.
Olomu scored against his former employers much against the run of play in the 39th minute, before Lentjies sealed the tie for the visitors when he netted from the penalty spot in the 71st minute.
l Thuso Phala's 50th minute goal was enough for Platinum Stars to bag maximum points over Lamontville Golden Arrows at Moruleng Stadium. - Additional reporting by Sapa
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