Reigning Betway Premiership kings Orlando Pirates got their 2026-27 league campaign off to the best possible start following a 2-0 win over newly promoted Milford FC at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Goals in either half by Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moremi were enough for Pirates to earn all three points on home soil this weekend as Milford struggled to match the league champions’ quality on the ball.
Pirates commenced the game on the front foot as Deon Hotto threatened with a dangerous cross in the third minute. Milford had their first sight at goal in the 13th minute, after Khanyisani Radebe called Sipho Chaine into action with a shot straight into his hands.
Then, after receiving a free-kick moments after the 20th-minute mark, Pirates took the lead from a dead-ball scenario as Oswin Appollis’ strike took a wicked deflection en route to goal, wrong-footing the goalkeeper in the process.
The Soweto giants continued to see most of the ball for much of the first half, while Menzi Chili and Radebe failed to capitalise with shots at the Bucs goal.
It was much of the same for Pirates during the opening exchanges of the second half, as seen with Thalente Mbatha, who let off a right-footed shot from outside the box in the 48th minute.
Milford did little to trouble Pirates defensively leading up to the hour-mark; however, Khanyisani Rabebe managed a shot at Chaine from over 30 yards out but ultimately saw his effort saved.
Pirates came close to doubling their lead in the 68th minute after Patrick Maswanganyi guided a headed effort straight into the hands of Siphamandla Hleza following an accurate cross into the area by Hotto.
The Buccaneers doubled their advantage five minutes from time through Tshepang Moremi after dominating large moments in the second 45. In a swift transition move toward the Milford box, Lebone Seema picked out Moremi at the right time, who then capped off the attack with a left-footed strike from the middle of the goal.
With Milford winded by the second goal, Pirates did well to see out the game and took little damage throughout the match as they recorded maximum points in their first league assignment.
Orlando Pirates: (1) 2 (Appollis 24’, Moremi 85’)
Milford: (0) 0
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Hotto (Rapoo 75’), Sibisi, Seema, Sebelebele (Lunga 75’), Maswanganyi (Masilela 75’), Dansin, Mbuthuma (Radiomane 67’), Appollis (Kgositsile 67’)
Milford: Hleza, Mdluli, Cele, Mthabela, Bhengu, Chili (Nomandela 63’), Mthethwa (Masilela 46’), Mthiyane, Mabena (Mkhize 63’), Radebe (Mbunga 64’), Zikakayo (Ngxongo 87’)