Pirates buoyed by emphatic win

Orlando Pirates coach Julio Leal has praised his players following their 3-0 victory over league leaders SuperSport United on Saturday.

Goals from Benni McCarthy, Isaac Chansa and Ndumiso Mabena were enough to give the Buccaneers all three points and hand United their first defeat of the season.

It was also the first time the Pirates had scored three goals in a league match this season, but what pleased Leal more was the fact his side has now cut the gap between them and United to seven points.

“Finally the results was good, for us is very important that we are now seven points behind them and scoring three goals,” Leal said.

“But our fans like when it happens and hopefully … the group have matured and can stay humble and continue improving until the end of the year.”

Leal said the victory means their chances of defending their league title are still alive with plenty of games still to come.

“We performed at our best today and did not allow them to play their game,” he said.

“Our expectations of defending the championship are still alive and this is why I’m happy because we got six important points this week and today we got three from a club which is on top.”