Pirates move a point clear at the top of the table ahead of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns and have also given their goal difference a significant boost, which could be crucial come the end of the campaign.
They have, however, now played a game more than their rivals in the title race.
This is the biggest defeat in Galaxy's history as they had never previously lost by more than three goals, while it is also Pirates' biggest ever away win int he PSL era.
Early red card
Galaxy were on the back foot almost immediately when right-back Lentswe Motaung received his marching orders for a professional foul inside four minutes. A through-ball put Tshepang Moremi through on goal and Motaung stretched out a leg to try and get the ball, but caught the player instead. It was a professional foul and referee Jelly Chavani was right to send him off.
Mofokeng hat-trick
Mofokeng gave Pirates the lead from the resultant free kick. It was from a central position just outside the penalty box, and he floated his effort into the top corner of the net.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos does not believe he is an option as a winger and sees him more as a ‘10’ behind the striker.
The same as Themba Zwane.
The playmaker added his second goal after half-time when Oswin Appollis showed good trickery in the box to create space for Mofokeng, who beat his defender and fired the ball past Tape.
The keeper then made another error for his hat-trick, as the Ivorian allowed his shot to burst through his hands.
It is the first hat-trick of Mofokeng’s career and keeps up his excellent recent scoring form, with seven goals in all competitions since the end of January. They have been all sorts of goals as well, showing his versatility.
Moremi makes it 2-0
Moremi is another who has been in good scoring form this season and he drilled in the second low into the bottom corner of the net.
He collected the ball 35 yards from goal and tried his luck from distance, with Galaxy keeper Ira Tape perhaps seeing the ball late as it came through a throng of players.
Calamitous own goal
Pirates’ third was one of the most comical goals you will see and was scarcely believable.
Tape seemed to fall over his own feet and lay on the ground as Mlungisi Mbunjana passed the ball back to him, not noticing the keeper was down. It trickled past the gloveman on the floor. It was just about as bizarre as it gets.
Ex-Rocket gets a fifth
After Mofokeng added a fourth, Kamogelo Sebelebele scored the fifth with a super finish. He was picked out in acres of space on the right-hand side of the box and drilled his shot into the far corner.
It was his first goal since August and, of course, came against his former side. He joined Pirates from Galaxy at the start of the season.