Mohau Nkota converted two assists from Relebohile Mofokeng as Orlando Pirates continued their excellent start to 2024/25 Premier Soccer League campaign with a 2-1 victory at the Orlando Stadium on Friday night.
The Buccaneers came into the match hoping to get their fifth win in a row and in the process sustain their 100% record and go top of the table.
However, it was not going to be an easy outing for Arthur Zwane and his fellow co-coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi who were managing their first PSL game at Usuthu after the firing of Pablo Franco Martin owing to a poor start that saw his side lose their opening three games in the 2024/25 edition.
Nkota runs the show
AmaZulu's best chance in the entire first half came in the 20th minute when Tshepang Moremi cleverly beat Deon Hotto before playing in a low cross, but Etiosa Ighodaro was a fraction late and the chance went begging.
Moments later, Pirates suffered a massive blow when Deano van Rooyen suffered what looked like a hamstring injury and was replaced by Paseka Mako.
That did little to dampen Bucs' mood; in the 30th minute, Nkota received the ball from Mofokeng just outside the 18-yard area. He controlled the ball well before catching Richard Ofori unaware in goal with a rocket that the Ghanaian failed to keep out.
The 19-year-old completed his brace seven minutes later when Mofokeng was slipped in, and the Bafana Bafana international set up his teammate for an easy finish that made it 2-0 for the Soweto Giants.
It could have been 3-0 in the 39th minute, but the woodwork denied Nkota his third.
Second half of missed chances
Nkota could have scored two minutes after the restart after another brilliant pass from Mofokeng, but despite controlling the ball well, he just couldn't guide it in owing to the pressure from the defenders.
Patrick Maswanganyi then came close in the 50th minute, but he couldn't keep the ball down.
Nkota and Mofokeng were literally running the show at the Orlando Stadium and in the 68th minute, AmaZulu were lucky not to get his hat trick. A ball from Evidence Makgopa found Mofokeng in the area, but Nkota somehow missed the target from just five yards out.
Pirates made up for missed chances when AmaZulu pulled a goal back in the third minute through Hendrick Ekstein to set up a nervy finish for the hosts, but they held on to secure maximum points.
The win on Friday is a massive statement from Bucs to the Premier Soccer League defending champions who have won the last seven editions.
