Orlando Pirates secured a 2–0 victory over AmaZulu in the Betway Premiership at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday to move to the top of the standings.
Relebohile Mofokeng, who is flying in fine form, scored the only goal of the match to help his side secure maximum points away from home.
The Buccaneers made only one change to their starting line-up from the previous match, with Nkosikhona Ndaba making way for Deon Hotto.
Meanwhile, AmaZulu introduced three changes to their side, as Langelihle Mhlongo, Tebogo Mashigo and Athini Maqokola were replaced by Bongani Zungu, Mlondi Mbanjwa and Henrick Ekstein.
As expected, the visitors started on the front foot, circulating the ball well and spending much of the early stages in the home side’s half as they searched for openings in and around the box.
AmaZulu responded with a few positive moments of their own, breaking forward with intent and using their speed to threaten the Buccaneers whenever they regained the ball.
The Sea Robbers opened the scoring in the 16th minute via the in-form Mofokeng who headed home after a curling cross from Tshepang Moremi.
Whenever they were in possession, Pirates kept knocking persistently on the door, constantly threatening the opposition’s penalty area, who wouldn’t allow them easy access into the box.
In the second half, the Pirates continued to dominate possession, but AmaZulu raised their intensity and momentum, pushing forward in pursuit of an equaliser as they chased the game.
On several occasions, the Pirates came knocking again as they looked to double their lead, but they found it difficult to hit the net once more.
Later in the game, Usuthu struggled to make the most of their forward movements in an attempt to mount a comeback, as the Pirates went on to claim the victory.
In the 94th minute, Pirates made it 2-0 which was credited as an own goal to AmaZulu goalkeeper Darren Johnson after Mofokeng’s shot came off the post before hitting Johnson and into the back of the net.
Ezimnyama Ngenkani now sit on 35 points, three clear at the summit of the table, with Mamelodi Sundowns in second place on 32.
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