Betway Premiership: Mofokeng shines as Orlando Pirates sink AmaZulu to go top

Orlando Pirates stormed to the summit of the Betway Premiership after a 2-0 victory over AmaZulu FC at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Tuesday night.

The Buccaneers’ convincing win lifted them three points clear of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns. Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s men will remain in Durban for their next assignment, a Nedbank Cup Round of 32 clash against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila on Saturday, February 7.

AmaZulu, meanwhile, stayed fourth on the log after missing the chance to leapfrog into first place. Arthur Zwane’s side must regroup quickly ahead of their Nedbank Cup Round of 32 tie against Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday, February 10.

Despite fielding five defenders, Usuthu struggled to contain Pirates’ attacking intent. The visitors deservedly broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when Relebohile Mofokeng headed home Tshepang Moremi’s pinpoint cross — his second goal in as many matches.

AmaZulu responded with a rare chance three minutes later, but Sipho Chaine denied Keegan Allan. At the other end, goalkeeper Darren Johnson was kept busy, producing fine saves to thwart Deon Hotto (twice), Thalente Mbatha, and Oswin Appollis before halftime. Pirates went into the break with a slender 1-0 lead.

Mofokeng remained a constant menace after the restart and nearly doubled his tally just before the hour mark, only to fire narrowly over the bar. Usuthu pressed late in search of an equaliser, but Chaine stood firm, pulling off a crucial save to deny Langelihle Mhlongo six minutes from time.

Pirates sealed the result in stoppage time when Mofokeng’s powerful strike rattled the upright and deflected off Johnson into the net. The own-goal capped a frustrating night for AmaZulu and confirmed Pirates’ 2-0 triumph.

Line-ups

AmaZulu: Johnson; Allan, Fielies, Mthethwa, Radebe; Zungu (Mhlongo 54’), Bern (Slatsha 67’), Hanamub; Ekstein (Maqokolo 54’), Mbanjwa (Mashigo 81’), Ngwenya (Sithole 81’)

Orlando Pirates: Chaine; van Rooyen (Sebelebele 60’), Sibisi, Seema, Hotto; Makhaula, Mbatha (Nemtajela 60’); Moremi (Msendami 79’), Appollis (De Jong 79’), Mofokeng; Mbuthuma (Makgopa 89’)