Orlando Pirates continued their impressive form in the DStv Premiership, claiming a commanding 3-0 victory over Polokwane City at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday. The Buccaneers’ dominant performance extended their unbeaten run to seven games across all competitions this season, securing six points from their first two league outings.
Fresh off the back of a successful continental cup campaign, Pirates returned to domestic action seeking to maintain their momentum.
From the outset, they took control of possession, immediately putting the visitors under pressure.
The hosts wasted no time in creating opportunities, with Tshegofatso Mabasa almost opening the scoring as early as the third minute.
His shot from inside the box took a deflection, narrowly missing the target.
Polokwane City showed some attacking intent, with Thabo Matuludi coming close for the visitors, his looping header from a corner sailing just over the crossbar.
However, it was Orlando Pirates who looked the more dangerous throughout the first half, with Relebohile Mofokeng and Mabasa both firing wide.
Deano van Rooyen followed suit with a long-range effort on the half-hour mark, but the breakthrough remained elusive.
It wasn’t until just before halftime that the Buccaneers got another clear chance, when a foul on Mofokeng earned them a free kick on the edge of the box.
Dlamini’s curling effort from the set-piece came close but was ultimately deflected for a corner.
As the half drew to a close, Dlamini had another opportunity, with his curling shot from the edge of the box narrowly missing the target, sending both teams into the break with the score still level at 0-0.
The second half began much like the first, with Pirates firmly in control.
Their persistence paid off 10 minutes after the restart when Monnapule Saleng finally broke the deadlock.
After a clever link-up on the left flank with Mofokeng, Saleng fired home from a tight angle, beating Polokwane goalkeeper Manuel Sapunga to give Pirates a deserved 1-0 lead.
Despite the setback, Polokwane City responded by pushing for an equalizer.
Their best chance came in the 73rd minute when Cole Alexander met a cross with a close-range header, but his effort failed to find the target.
Pirates remained resolute, continuing to create chances on the counter-attack.
Mofokeng had an opportunity to double the lead but his effort was comfortably saved by Sapunga.
As the clock ticked down, Pirates continued to press and were rewarded with a second goal in the 85th minute.
Karim Kimvuidi’s powerful shot rattled the upright, and Evidence Makgopa was on hand to pounce on the rebound, poking the ball into the net to make it 2-0.
Makgopa wasn’t done yet. Just minutes later, the tall striker capitalized on a misplaced pass inside the visitors’ penalty area, calmly slotting the ball past Sapunga for his second of the night and Pirates’ third.
In the final moments, Polokwane’s Manuel Kambala fired a speculative shot over the bar, but it was too late for any form of comeback.
Pirates saw out the game comfortably, securing all three points in front of their home fans.
The 3-0 win keeps Orlando Pirates firmly on track in their Premiership campaign, with six points from their first two matches.
Their defensive solidity, combined with a lethal attack, has made them one of the teams to beat early in the season.
Polokwane City, on the other hand, will need to regroup after a difficult outing as they look to bounce back in their next fixture.
For now, all eyes are on Orlando Pirates, who will aim to continue their winning streak and push for the top spot in the league.
