On Wednesday, 03 March, Monnapule Saleng bagged a hat-trick as Orlando Pirates returned to winning ways with a 4-1 victory over Swallows FC in the original Soweto Derby.
The DStv Premiership clash, which took place at Dobsonville Stadium, saw Pirates make four changes to the side that narrowly lost to Kaizer Chiefs, as Makhehlene Makhaula was handed his first start alongside recalls for Deon Hotto, Kabelo Dlamini and Sandile Mthethwa.
Pirates had the perfect start after Saleng gave them the lead with only six minutes on the clock with a cheeky backheel at the near post after a low cross by Dlamini.
The game got too congested in midfield after that, with neither side unable to find clarity in their play but Saleng nearly doubled the lead for Jose Riveiro’s charges on 26 minutes with a volleyed shot that missed the gaping net after bad communication between goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa and his defence.
Ernst Middendorp’s Swallows advanced high up the pitch a couple of times towards the interval and Tawanda Macheke found the back of the net with a shot from a loose ball after a cross in the box but the goal was disallowed for an offside.
Pirates were quick out of the blocks after the break and doubled their lead two minutes in after a cross by Saleng caught the Swallows defence square and Terrence Dzvkumanja saw his shot deflect in off Mthokozisi Shwabule.
The Buccaneers advanced further ahead on the hour-mark after Saleng made it 3-0 with a tap-in from a cross by Dlamini to complete his brace.
Riveiro refreshed his attack with a double change with 16 minutes remaining, as Kermit Erasmus and Marou Souaibou were brought on in places of Dlamini and Thembinkosi Lorch.
The Birds had more intensity going forward, as Shwabule pulled a goal back a minute later with a first-time shot in the box that found the bottom corner after a cross by Tlakusani Mthethwa.
The night would belong to Saleng, who raced clear on goal in stoppage time from a through ball and fired a low strike past Mbanjwa to complete his hat-trick against his former side.
The 4-1 win saw Pirates close the gap behind second-placed SuperSport United to just two points in third place on the log, while Swallows find themselves in 14th position.
