Makola helps Pirates sink Chippa

Soweto - A brilliant Mpho Makola brace helped Orlando Pirates move from the bottom to the top of the Absa Premiership table with a 4-1 midweek drubbing of Chippa United.

Makola came off the bench on the hour at Orlando Stadium in Soweto to give the Buccaneers a flattering victory over opponents who had a player red-carded when trailing by one goal.

The 'super sub' unleashed an unstoppable shot from outside the penalty area on 85 minutes that flew past diving goalkeeper Daylon Hawes.

And three minutes into stoppage time he curled another outside-the-box shot around the shot-stopper into the corner of the net.

The memorable Makola brace came just two days after two other stunning goals in a cup tie between Bloemfontein Celtic and Kaizer Chiefs.

South African football followers hope the trend continues as the last few seasons have seen a scarcity of goals, and few outstanding ones.

When Chiefs midfielder Bernard Parker finished leading league scorer two seasons ago, he averaged a meagre 0.33 goals a game.

Unmarked Ayanda Gcaba nodded Pirates in front nine minutes after half-time and Hawes conceded an own goal in a goalmouth scramble.

Chippa shrugged off having Nigerian Ugonna Uzochukwu red-carded following two cautions to halve the deficit through Buyani Sali.

The match was brought forward as Pirates host Congo Brazzaville club AC Leopards on Saturday needing a point to reach the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals.