Pirates Ride the Wave To The Summit After Sinking Usuthu
By Advent Shoko
Orlando Pirates have flipped the script in spectacular fashion and they are now on top of the Betway Premiership log table. After stumbling out of the gates with back-to-back defeats, the Buccaneers are now the hottest team in the Betway Premiership, and the league table proves it.
A hard-fought 2-0 win over AmaZulu in Durban has lifted Pirates to top spot, and not by luck. This is a team in full flow, now 13 matches unbeaten, boasting 11 wins and two draws, with a rock-solid defence that has conceded just three goals in that stretch. Abdeslam Ouaddou’s men have turned early-season doubts into a title-charging statement.
Top of The Log – Pirates Mean Business
Pirates lead the standings with 35 points from 15 games, carrying a +17 goal difference after scoring 22 and conceding just five overall this season. Their recent form is even more frightening, wins stacked on wins, with barely a crack at the back. This is no smash-and-grab run. Pirates are controlling matches, managing tempo, and finishing games with authority.
Sundowns Still Breathing Down Their Necks
Mamelodi Sundowns sit second on 32 points, level on goal difference but three points behind. The Brazilians have only lost once all season and remain the gold standard of consistency. But for the first time in a while, they are being pushed hard at the summit.
The title race has teeth.
Chiefs Quietly In The Hunt
Kaizer Chiefs are third with 30 points and just one defeat all campaign. They haven’t blown teams away, but they’ve been efficient and disciplined. Their defence has kept them in games, and they’re close enough to strike if the top two slip.
AmaZulu Lose Ground
AmaZulu stay fourth on 30 points, but they’ve played two more matches than Pirates and Sundowns. That gap in games could become costly. Usuthu started the season strongly but are beginning to look vulnerable against the league’s heavyweights.
Sekhukhune Stay In Touch
Sekhukhune United round out the top five with 29 points. Organised, stubborn, and tough to beat, they remain one of the most competitive sides in the division and continue to shadow the title contenders.
Orlando Pirates Win Take Them Top Of the Betway Premiership Log Table
| # | PL | W | D | L | +/- | GD | PTS | Form | Next | ||||||
| 1 | Orlando Pirates | 15 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 22-5 | +17 | 35 | W | W | D | W | W | ||
| 2 | Mamelodi Sundowns FC | 15 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 24-7 | +17 | 32 | D | W | D | W | W | A) | |
| 3 | Kaizer Chiefs | 15 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 15-6 | +9 | 30 | W | D | D | W | W | S. | |
| 4 | AmaZulu FC | 17 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 19-16 | +3 | 30 | L | W | W | W | L | ||
| 5 | Sekhukhune United | 17 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 17-10 | +7 | 29 | W | L | D | L | W | $ | |
| 6 | Durban City | 17 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 15-13 | +2 | 25 | D | L | W | W | L | ||
| 7 | TS Galaxy | 17 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 22-17 | +5 | 24 | D | D | W | L | L | N | |
| 8 | Polokwane City | 16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 13-11 | +2 | 24 | W | D | W | L | D | S. | |
| 9 | Richards Bay | 16 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 14-16 | -2 | 19 | D | D | W | D | D | ||
| 10 | Lamontville Golden Arrows | 16 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 21-22 | -1 | 17 | L | L | L | L | D | M | |
| 11 | Siwelele | 16 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9-14 | -5 | 17 | W | L | D | D | D | ||
| 12 | Stellenbosch FC | 15 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 11-18 | -7 | 15 | L | L | W | L | W | H | |
| 13 | Marumo Gallants | 17 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 12-21 | -9 | 15 | D | D | L | L | L | (A) | |
| 14 | Chippa United | 17 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 10-21 | -11 | 15 | L | D | D | W | W | ||
| 15 | Orbit College | 17 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 14-30 | -16 | 14 | L | L | L | L | D | DO | |
| 16 | Magesi FC | 15 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 10-21 | -11 | 11 | L | D | D | L | L |
Match Story: Pirates Too Sharp For Usuthu
Pirates set the tone early at Moses Mabhida Stadium, keeping the ball and stretching AmaZulu’s defensive shape.
The breakthrough came via a moment of class. Tshepang Moremi floated a delicate chip that picked out Relebohile Mofokeng, who guided a header home for his second goal in as many matches.
AmaZulu threatened briefly through set pieces, but Sipho Chaine stood firm when called upon. At the other end, Deon Hotto and Thalente Mbatha both tested Darren Johnson as Pirates piled on the pressure.
The hosts threw bodies forward late on, but Pirates’ composure held. Then came the killer blow in stoppage time, Mofokeng’s shot struck the upright, bounced off Johnson, and rolled in to seal a deserved 2-0 victory.
Starting Line-ups
Orlando Pirates
Chaine, Seema, Sibisi, Van Rooyen (Sebelebele 60’), Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha (Nemtajela 60’), Moremi (Msendami 79’), Mofokeng, Appollis (De Jong 79’), Mbuthuma (Makgopa 88’)
AmaZulu
Johnson, Radebe, Hanamub, Mthethwa, Fielies, Allan, Bern, Zungu, Ngwenya, Ekstein, Mbanjwa
Substitutes:
Mzimela, Dube, Mhlongo, Slatsha, Maqokolo, Sithole, Zikhali, Mashigo, Kutumela
Notably, former Highlanders midfielder Mason Mushore is still yet to make a Matchday squad for AmaZulu, a situation that continues to raise questions among supporters. Mushore is part of a Zimbabwean trio, alongside Juan Mutudza at Polokwane City and Honest Mhlanga at Botswana’s Orapa United, who are awaiting final clearance due to pending paperwork. Work permit processes are said to be at an advanced stage, with optimism growing that all three players could soon be eligible to feature, possibly as early as next week.
Quick Highlights
• Pirates go top of the Betway Premiership
• 13-game unbeaten run shows title-winning form
• Mofokeng scores a brace to sink AmaZulu
• Sundowns and Chiefs remain within touching distance
• AmaZulu slipping after strong start
• Mushore still waiting for his AmaZulu debut
The Buccaneers have the wind in their sails, and right now, the rest of the league is chasing their wake.
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