Orlando Pirates returned to winning ways in style in the Betway Premiership after thrashing Chippa United 3-0 at Kings Park Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The emphatic victory lifted the Buccaneers to the top of the league standings, leapfrogging their arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs. Attention now turns to their two-legged MTN8 semifinal tie against Sekhukhune United.

Chippa, meanwhile, slipped to 12th place after suffering their first defeat of the season. The Chilli Boys, under coach Brandon Truter, will prepare for their next match — an away league fixture against Siwelele FC on 25 August.

The first half was one-way traffic as the Buccaneers piled pressure on the Chilli Boys, searching for the opening goal. Pirates were frustrated, however, by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who produced three crucial saves to keep the visitors at bay.

The Nigeria international denied Oswin Appollis twice: first in the sixth minute and again in the 16th minute. Nwabali was called into action once more in the 34th minute, tipping Deon Hotto’s free-kick over the crossbar as the sides went into the interval locked at 0-0.

However, the Buccaneers were prolific and clinical after the halftime break. Ghampani Lungu broke the deadlock with his second goal of the season on the hour mark, before the eventual Man of the Match Lebone Seema headed home four minutes later to make it 2-0 to Pirates.

Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou then made several attacking changes, including introducing Daniel Msendami. The Zimbabwe international repaid the Moroccan-French tactician’s faith by scoring the third goal in the 88th minute — his first for the Buccaneers — after pouncing on a mistake to seal Pirates’ 3-0 win.

Chippa 0

Pirates 3 (Lungu 60', Seema 64', Msendami 88')

CHIPPA: Nwabali, Mobara, Kammies (Dlamini 59'), Majadibodu Jones, Mosele, Tshobeni (Seabi 59'), Mohlometsi, Mfecane (Tshabalala 82'), Figareido (Sam 82'), Mlotshwa (Bonani 82')

PIRATES: Chaine, Sibisi, Seema, Sebelebele, Hotto (Rapoo 86'), Dansin (Mthiyane 86'), Mokobodi, Lungu, Maswanganyi (Masilela 71'), Appollis (Kgositsile 77'), Mbuthuma (Msendami 78')