Orlando Pirates climbed to the top of the Betway Premiership table after delivering a 2-0 victory over 10-men Durban City at a packed Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
The Buccaneers hit the summit for the first time this season, moving three points clear of defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, with both teams having now played 12 matches.
It was a statement victory from a side gathering confidence and momentum under Abdeslam Ouaddou.
For Durban City, the loss was a frustrating setback that saw them slip to eighth on the standings.
Gavin Hunt’s side had hoped to secure a first marquee scalp of their debut top-flight campaign but lacked incision in decisive moments.
Yet City began brightly, unsettling Pirates with an aggressive press and purposeful wing play.
Their approach nearly paid off in the 19th minute when they sprung a pressing trap and dispossessed Mbekezeli Mbokazi high up the pitch.
Samkelo Maseko delivered a sharp low cross, but Jean Lwamba failed to anticipate it, giving Sipho Chaine an easy claim.
Pirates punished that wastefulness with an incisive moment of quality.
The breakthrough arrived in the 23rd minute through Evidence Makgopa, who continued his impressive run of form.
Relebohile Mofokeng slipped a superbly weighted pass between the lines, and Makgopa took two composed touches before bending his finish into the far corner — his second league goal in as many matches.
That goal steadied Pirates, who grew increasingly confident as the half progressed.
City remained spirited and direct, but Pirates’ structure allowed them to neutralise most attacking movements.
The opening stanza ended with the Buccaneers controlling their zones while their opponents searched for an edge that wouldn’t come.
Looking to lock down the midfield battle, Ouaddou introduced veteran Makhehleni Makhaula early in the second half. The adjustment immediately tilted the rhythm of the game, with Pirates now dictating tempo and pushing City deeper into their own half.
Possession swung firmly to the Buccaneers, climbing beyond 60% as they circulated the ball with authority.
Hunt attempted to respond by bringing on Joslin Kamatuka and Letsie Koapeng to inject aggression into the attack.
But his plan suffered a blow when Kamatuka was stretchered off with an unfortunate injury barely ten minutes into his cameo.
With City unsettled, Pirates pressed for the second goal that would seal their rise to the summit.
It came in the 77th minute. Oswin Appollis showed composure inside the box before laying the ball into the path of Patrick Maswanganyi, who cushioned his finish into the net for his third league goal of the season.
It was the final act of a controlled, calculated Pirates performance.
By full-time, their ascent to the top of the table was complete — earned, deserved and underlining their growing authority in the title race.
