Ajax travelled all the way from Cape Town hoping for a victory or draw against Orlando Pirates at Ellis Park Stadium on Wednesday night.
Instead, the Urban Warriors went home with their tails between their legs after suffering their worst defeat to date — 6-0 — against the business-like Buccaneers.
Pirates’ third victory from five games catapulted them to the first spot on the Castle Premiership table.
They share the same number of points with Mamelodi Sundowns, who embarrassed Bucks 3-0 in their backyard, East London, in one of four other Premier Soccer League games played Wednesday night.
Pirates boast superior goal difference.
The hosts led 2-0 at half-time but they overcame an early scare from the visitors who almost scored in the second minute.
Pirates took the lead in the 25th minute via the head of Benedict Vilakazi.
The stocky, attacking midfielder jumped majestically above the tall Ajax defenders to nod home a well-executed free kick by Steve Lekoelea.
Tyrene Arendse made it 2-0 in the 42nd minute. Converting a cross from Gift Leremi, Arendse scored his third goal in his second game for the Buccaneers.
Ajax squandered a chance to reduce their deficit on the stroke of half-time.
Former South Africa Under-17 striker Phumudzo Manenzhe registered his name on the score sheet in the 49th minute, scoring Pirates’ third goal.
Arendse was the provider when Manenzhe calmly chest-trapped the ball before putting it inside the net past bemused goalkeeper Moeneeb Joseph.
Leremi almost made it 4-0. His attempt from a Lekoelea pass was palmed by Joseph for a corner in the 53rd minute.
Manenzhe confirmed his brace, scoring the fourth goal a minute later. He finished a Vilakazi chance. The Bafana Bafana player collided with Joseph inside the box and Manenzhe pounced on the loose ball to put Pirates further ahead. Joseph was booked for the incident.
Ajax fought back strongly and forced Pirates to defend in much bigger numbers but the visitors squandered two more chances.
Leremi, who was always buzzing, finally found the right key scoring in the 68th minute. Defender Abednego Netshodwe hit the final nail a few minutes before full-time, making it 6-0. — Sapa