Orlando Pirates moved to the top of the Betway Premiership with a commanding 3-0 victory over Kaizer Chiefs in Saturday’s Soweto Derby at the FNB Stadium.

Chiefs made a notable change before kick-off, handing Bruce Bvuma his first start of the season in goal, while Pirates restored Thalente Mbatha to the line-up. The visitors settled quickly and struck inside five minutes.

Deon Hotto found Tshepang Moremi on the edge of the area and his effort took a heavy deflection off Flavio Da Silva, wrong-footing Bvuma and finding the net.

Chiefs struggled to build momentum in the first half. Glody Lilepo and Pule Mmodi were contained out wide, and Da Silva found little space in the box. Pirates were more decisive in the final third and doubled their advantage in the 39th minute.

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Relebohile Mofokeng, operating centrally, released Oswin Appollis, who broke into the left side of the area and finished calmly beyond Bvuma.

The Amakhosi introduced Asanele Velebayi and Thabo Cele at the break in search of a response, with Velebayi offering greater width on the left. Pirates managed the contest, and after the hour made changes of their own, including the introduction of Evidence Makgopa.

The third goal arrived in the 79th minute. Moremi turned provider, delivering from the right for Makgopa to head home from close range and end any prospect of a comeback.

A late Chiefs effort was cleared off the line, but Pirates remained in control to secure a clean sheet. The result lifts them to 41 points, three clear at the summit, while Chiefs remain 11 points adrift.

Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images