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Defending Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates made the perfect start to their 2026/27 league campaign with a 2-0 victory over newly promoted Milford FC at a sold-out Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday.

Goals from Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moremi secured all three points for the Buccaneers, who climbed to second place in the early league standings after the opening round of fixtures.

Dominated possession

Orlando Pirates dominated possession from the opening whistle but initially struggled to turn their territorial advantage into clear-cut chances.

Instead, it was Milford who threatened first, with goalkeeper Sipho Chaine called into action on two occasions during the opening 20 minutes to deny long-range efforts, including a powerful strike from Cebolenkosi Mthethwa.

The breakthrough finally arrived after Yanela Mbuthuma won a free-kick just outside the penalty area. Appollis stepped up and fired his effort towards goal, with a fortunate deflection wrong-footing goalkeeper Siphamandla Hleza before the ball found the back of the net.

The goal settled the home side, who continued to control proceedings for the remainder of the first half. Deon Hotto came close to doubling the lead from a set-piece, but his effort drifted narrowly off target.

Timed to perfection

Orlando Pirates continued to dominate after the restart, although clear opportunities remained limited. Thalente Mbatha tested Hleza with a deflected strike before Moremi was denied by the Milford goalkeeper as the visitors fought to stay in the contest.

The second goal eventually arrived five minutes from time. Moremi timed his run to perfection before rounding Hleza and calmly slotting into an empty net to put the result beyond doubt.

Milford pushed forward in the closing stages, with substitute Sicelo Masilela sending a dangerous ball across the face of goal, but the visitors were unable to find a way past a disciplined Pirates defence.

Boitumelo Radiopane had a late chance to add a third for the Buccaneers, but his long-range effort sailed wide as Pirates comfortably saw out the closing minutes.

The victory gives Orlando Pirates an ideal start to their league title defence, while Milford will take encouragement from a competitive debut despite leaving Soweto empty-handed.