Orlando Pirates continued their perfect start to their Betway Premiership campaign when they further harmed an already wounded AmaZulu 2-1 at the Orlando Stadium on Friday evening.
The Buccaneers were made to sweat for the victory in stoppage time, but ultimately walked away with all three points in the fixture, making it their fifth win on the spin in the league.
The match started off evenly balanced but as the first half advanced, it was clear that Pirates were the better team. Mohau Nkota shone bright as he opened his account for the senior team in the 30th minute by scoring a belter into the top corner of the net.
Just six minutes later, Nkota completed his brace after receiving a through pass from Relebhile Mofokeng. The 19-year-old came close to getting a hat-trick in the later stages of the second half, but was denied by the upright in one of his attempts.
The second half followed pretty much the same trend, but AmaZulu’s late push began to put pressure on the home team as Jose Riveiro made substitutions to beef up the defence.
Nkota once again almost scored his third, but the second half performance from Richard Ofori against his former team kept the scoreline respectable. Stoppage time was nervy for the Buccaneers, and it eventually became clear that they were under pressure.
AmaZulu grabbed their consolation goal in the 93rd minute as Hendrick Ekstein’s moment of individual brilliance gave the visitors a bit of hope. Unfortunately, it was too late and Pirates earned the bragging rights in Orlando.
Orlando Pirates (2) 0 (nkota 30', 36')
AmaZulu (0) 1 (Ekstein 90+3')
ORLANDO PIRATES: S. Chaine, D. van Rooyen (P. Mako 28’), T. Sesane, N. Ribisi, D. Hotto, T. Mbatha (N. Ndlondlo 76’), M. Makhaula S. Rasebotja 66’), M. Nkota (Gilberto Vieira 76’), P. Maswanganyi, R. Mofokeng, E. Magkopa (T. Mabasa 76’)
AMAZULU: R. Ofori, R. Hanamub, T. Fielies, A. Mobara, T. Sikhakhane, E. Brooks (H. Ekstein 46’), B. Motshwari, B. Haba (M. Mbanjwa 58’), W. Jooste (R. Human 76’), T. Moremi (A. Sithole 58’), E. Ighodaro (J. Dion 76’)