Youngster Mohau Nkota netted a brace as Orlando Pirates moved top of the Betway Premiership with a 2-1 victory over AmaZulu, who remain winless.
Betway Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 2-1 AmaZulu
Date: 25 October 2024
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Pirates kept the same side that beat SuperSport United, as their attack was led by Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi, Mohau Nkota and Evidence Makgopa.
Usuthu, meanwhile, had four former Buccaneers in their line-up, goalkeeper Richard Ofori, Abbubaker Mobara, Ben Motshwari and Wayde Jooste.
Jose Riveiro's charges enjoyed a bulk of possession in the early stages but they were quickly closed down in the dangerous areas by Usuthu.
The visitors looked to attack on counter-attacks and on 20 minutes had a good break after Tshepang Morena raced through on the channel and played a dangerous cross that Boniface Haba missed by a second for a tap-in.
Although the Buccaneers were interrupted by the forced change of Deano Van Rooyen, who was replaced by Paseka Mako, Nkota eventually broke the deadlock with a rocket shot that beat Ofori in the top corner after a good turn.
AmaZulu were punished ten minutes before the break for committing numbers forward too early, after Nkota doubled the lead for Pirates and got his brace with a low finish from a cut-back by Mofokeng.
Riveiro's troops were in control of the game from the break but only carved out a clear chance midway into the second stanza after Nkota came close with a strike in the box from a good position that missed narrowly wide after an offload from Mofokeng.
With 15 minutes to go, Nkota could no longer complete his hat-trick for Pirates as he was replaced by Gilberto and Tshegofatso Mabasa also came on for Makgopa, both for fresh legs.
The Buccaneers continued to have the upper hand going forward as eight minutes before time Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo almost made it 3-0 with a looping shot that brought the best out of Ofori.
AmaZulu were spirited towards the end as former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Hendrick Ekstein pulled a goal back in stoppage time after going through in the box.
However, it was too little too late as Pirates extended their perfect start and climbed to the top of the log by three points over Mamelodi Sundowns.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 3. Van Rooyen, 5. Sibisi, 36. Sesane, 7. Hotto, 8. Makhaula, 16. Mbatha, 33. Nkota, 28. Maswanganyi, 38. Mofokeng, 17. Makgopa.
Subs: 35. Buthelezi, 23. Maela, 29, Mako, 15. Ndlondlo, 31. Rasebotja, 25. Kimvuidi, 32. Moleleki, 11. Gilberto, 9. Mabasa
AmaZulu: 50. Ofori, 5. Sikhakhane, 4. Hanamub, 12. Fielies, 26. Jooste, 2. Mobara, 8. Motshwari, 18. Brooks, 9. Ighodaro, 19. Moremi, 29. Haba
Subs: 44. Mothwa, 25. Ngobeni, 45. Mngonyama, 17. Gumede, 27. Ekstein, 21. Human, 37. Sithole, 16. Mbanjwa, 33. Dion
