Orlando Pirates moved to the top of the Betway Premiership standings this weekend, following a convincing 3-0 victory over AmaZulu at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Pirates looked menacing throughout the encounter, with AmaZulu playing on the back foot for much of the 90 minutes.
Goals from Yanela Mbuthuma, Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng saw the Sea Robbers move to the top of the pile.
They currently hold a two-point advantage over Sundowns, who have two games in hand.
☠️ FT | @orlandopirates 3 - 0 @AmaZuluFootball
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) April 18, 2026
🥅 Mbuthuma 14', Appollis 45+1', Mofokeng 58'
⚫⚪🔴⭐#MatchDay#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/LotDuKISl0
Bucs dominated during the early exchanges of the match, while Appollis ignited his side’s attack with a long-range effort from 35-yards in the eighth minute.
While AmaZulu had little to show for their attacking endeavours, Pirates pressed on in search of an opener.
The Soweto giants’ managed to break the deadlock in the 14th minute after Mbuthuma evaded his marker to guide home a well-taken header following a cross from the left side of the box.
With wind in their sails, Pirates continued to see the bulk of the possession count, while the likes of Tshepang Moremi, Mbuthuma and Appollis racked up the chances for the Buccaneers.
Appollis doubled his side’s advantage in stunning fashion shortly before the break with a powerful strike from outside the area.
After a slick draw-back move on the ball, Appollis found himself in an inviting position while Olwethu Mzimela had no answer for the Pirates’ midfielder’s right-footed strike.
Pirates looked lively at the restart, especially during transitional moments, while AmaZulu battled to progress the ball up field.
The home side tripled their lead in the 59th minute with Relebohile Mofokeng getting in on the fun.
Following a clearance inside AmaZulu the area, the in-form Pirates star linked up well with Nkosikhona Ndaba, who placed the ball on a platter for Mofokeng to whip in a curling effort from range.
Hugo Broos, are you watching? 👀
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 18, 2026
Rele Mofokeng with another world-class finish 😮💨
📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/pZ1LUPecmf
With AmaZulu battling to get a foothold in the game, Pirates were awarded a penalty in the 73rd minute after Taariq Fielies handled the ball in the area.
However, Mofokeng missed the chance to score Pirates’ fourth after hitting the woodwork.
Usuthu were unable to affect the scoreline during the dying stages of the match despite creating a couple of scoring opportunities late on as Pirates saw out the game with a clean sheet intact.
Orlando Pirates: (2) 3 (Mbuthuma 14’, Appollis 46’, Mofokeng 59’
AmaZulu: 0
ORLANDO PIRATES: Chaine, Ndaba, Sibisi, Seema, Sebelele, Nemtajela (Mbule 61’), Makhaula (Dansin 84’), Moremi (Msendami 60’), Mofokeng (Maswanganyi 84’), Appollis, Mbuthumba (Radiopane 69’)
AMAZULU: Mzimela, Allan, Fielies, Mthethwa, Dube (Mbanjwa 46’), Zikhali (Sithole 46’), Bern (Mhlongo 68’), Hanamub, Maqokola, Matlhoko (Masuku 67’), Ekstein (Ngcobo 75’)