By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Orlando Pirates secured a convincing win in the Soweto Derby on Saturday, thrashing rivals Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 in a Betway Premiership clash at the FNB stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Pirates ran riot to recover from a two-match losing streak against Mamelodi Sundowns and Casric Stars going into the derby.
Chifes made changes from the team that lost to Stellenbosch FC in midweek, bringing in Thabiso Monyane, Inacio Miguel and Pule Mmodi. Wing-backs Dillan Silomons and Paseka Mako and Ashley du Preez were dropped.
Pirates received a boost following the return of Thalente Mbatha from injury to partner Mkhehlene Makhaula in central midfield.
It took Pirates just five minutes to score their first goal when Deon Hotto found Tshepang Moremi on the edge of the box. The latter took a shot that was deflected by Flavio Silva past Bruce Bvuma.
Relebohile Mofokeng, who played in the No. 10 role, then picked Oswin Appollis in the 39th minute, and the former Polokwane City man beat Bvuma to make it 2-0.
The third goal for Pirates was scored by substitute Evidence Makgopa, who headed in Moremi’s cross in the 79th minute to ensure his team went top of the table with 41 points, three more than second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns. Chiefs are trailing Pirates by 11 points in fourth place.
Arguably, this is the worst Chiefs derby performance in history, with little effort from the players and the co-coaches bad tactics.
Meanwhile Polokwane City produced a dominant performance against Limpopo rivals Magesi FC to claim the title of Kings of Polokwane, winning 2-0 at the Seshego Stadium in Polokwane.
Elsewhere Stellenbosch FC claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over AmaZulu FC in the Betway Premiership match played at the Danie Craven Stadium on Friday night.