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Soweto - Orlando Pirates' resurgence under Josef Zinnbauer continued as they cruised to an emphatic 3-1 win over Highlands Park at Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening.
The early-season struggle for consistency seems to have come to an end as this result sees Pirates' unbeaten run stretch to seven games.
It has seen them to move level on points with Bidvest Wits, although the Clever Boys do have four games in hand.
Pirates played the Lions of the North completely off the park and took the lead in just the sixth minute. It was set up by a glorious long ball from Happy Jele to Thembinkosi Lorch, who steered the ball expertly past Kyle Peters.
It took just five more minutes for them to double their advantage as the red-hot Gabadinho Mhango intercepted a loose pass by Luckyboy Mokoena before using his pace to go around the keeper and score his eighth goal in fix games.
To their credit, Highlands Park fought for a way back into the game and were only denied by a series of expert saves from Wayne Sandilands.
However, in their bid for a goal, they overextended and Pirates caught them on the break shortly before half-time to effectively end the match as a contest. Paseka Mako played a neat one-two with Mhango before blasting the ball low into the bottom corner to make it 3-0.
Bucs took their foot off the gas after the break and allowed Highlands Park a bit more freedom in attack.
Even so, they never really looked in any danger of losing their lead and it always felt like they were saving an extra gear or two if they needed it.
The visitors bagged a consolation goal late on, with Mlungisi Mbunjana finally beating Sandilands with an outstanding long-range shot.
Beautiful as the strike was, though, it had absolutely no difference on the result and Pirates fans will be left feeling chuffed.
- TeamTalk Media
