Orlando Pirates thrash Chippa to dislodge Kaizer Chiefs from top spot

Orlando Pirates returned to winning ways in the Premier Soccer League following a 3-0 victory over Chippa United at the Kings Park Stadium in Durban on Sunday.

Pirates were frustrated for the better part of an hour before they finally broke the home sides’ resistance with two goals in four minutes putting the game beyond Chippa’s reach.

New signing Ghampani Lungu was the first to breach Chippa goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who had kept Pirates out in the first 60 minutes, before defender Lebone Seema added the second four minutes later. Substitute Daniel Msendani added gloss on the score line four minutes from time.

Pirates had shown early intent with Oswin Appollis creating space and testing Nwabali with a couple of well-taken efforts inside the first 15 minutes but the Nigerian goalkeeper was equal to the task, palming the ball away on both occasions.

Wasted opportunities from both sides

In the 20^th minute, Chippa should have gone ahead when Sirgio Kammies weaved his way past a forest of Pirates players and unleashed a good shot put watched it go wide.

Deon Hotto then forced Nwabali into a fingertip save over the bar from a freekick in the 33^rd minute and five minutes before the break, the Chilli Boys wasted another opportunity.

From a corner, Pirates failed to deal with the ball and it fell to ex-Bucs star Goodman Mosele who was free at the back post. The midfielder unleashed a shot but somehow failed to find the target.

After a goalless first half, Pirates increased the tempo in search of a breakthrough and three minutes in, they should have had the opening goal.

Two goals in four minutes for Pirates

Patrick Maswangayi received the ball on the edge of the box and shook off two defenders but with only Nwabali to beat, his effort on his weaker right foot, lacked the power to trouble the Chippa goalkeeper, who made himself big to keep it out.

However, in the 60^th minute, Maswangayi got an assist as he threaded a good ball to Lungu and on the half-turn, the Zambian winger finally breached Nwabali with a powerful low shot.

Gamphani Lungu was joined on the scoresheet by Lebone Seema and Daniel Msendami as Orlando Pirates secure three points to go above Kaizer Chiefs in the #BetwayPrem standings #SSFootball | #SSDiski pic.twitter.com/2lOaJdTiL6

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 16, 2026

Four minutes later, Pirates were celebrating a second goal and Maswanganyi had a hand in it. From a freekick, Yanela Mbuthuma flicked the ball with his head and Maswangayi headed towards goal but a defender prevented it from sailing into the top corner.

Chippa’s mistake punished as Bucs go top

It led to a Hotto corner and from it, Seema rose highest to head into the bottom corner with Nwabali rooted to his post in the middle of the goal.

Pirates took the foot of the gas as they sought to see the game out but four minutes from time, Msendani capitalised on a defensive mistake which saw him get a free run towards goal and easily slot past Nwabali for 3-0.

Following the win, Pirates have now moved to the top of the PSL table level on seven points with Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu FC but with a superior goal difference.