Orlando Pirates handed Soweto derby rivals Kaizer Chiefs a 3-0 thrashing in a Betway Premiership clash played at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Goals from Tshepang Moremi, Oswin Appollis and Evidence Makgopa saw the Buccaneers return to winning form in style, having suffered a key defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in their previous league encounter, as well as a shock exit in the Nedbank Cup at the hands of lower league Casric Stars last weekend.

The result took Pirates three points clear of Sundowns at the top of the Premiership table – though the Brazilians will have the chance to respond on Sunday when they take on Sekhukhune United.

As for the Amakhosi, this is a third successive defeat across all competitions, and a fifth straight league loss against their arch rivals – a run which stretches back to November 2023. Chiefs’ title hopes have also taken a major hit, as they find themselves 11 points off the pace of Pirates, albeit with a game in hand.

The visitors at Soccer City got off to a flying start, claiming the lead in just the fifth minute via Moremi, whose ambitious long-range drive took a deflection off Flavio Silva which left goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma wrong-footed.

Pirates doubled their lead in the 39th minute, with Appollis driving home a fine shot after great set-up play from Kamogelo Sebelebele and Relebohile Mofokeng.

Chiefs put up a stronger showing in the second half, but ultimately had no answer to Pirates’ superior physicality and technicality. The Buccaneers drove the final nail into the coffin in the 79th minute, with substitute Makgopa getting on the end of Moremi’s cross to glance home a header and complete the 3-0 score line.

The teams will be back in Premiership action in the coming midweek, with Chiefs away to Richards Bay on Tuesday, 3 March, and Pirates visiting Polokwane City the following day.

Kaizer Chiefs 0

Orlando Pirates (2) 3 (Moremi 5, Appollis 39’, Makgopa 79’)

Chiefs: Bvuma, Monyane, Kwinika, Miguel (Cross 81’), McCarthy, Ngcobo (Cele 46’), Maboe, Mmodi (Velebayi 46’), Lilepo, Chislett (Du Preez 67’), Silva (Duba 81’)

Pirates: Chaine, Sebelebele, Seema, Sibisi, Hotto, Mbatha (Nemtajela 62’), Makhaula, Moremi (Van Rooyen 85’), Mofokeng, Appollis (Maswanganyi 85’), Mbuthuma (Makgopa 69’)