Orlando Pirates claimed the Betway Premiership top spot after securing a 2-0 victory over AmaZulu FC at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Tuesday night.
The convincing victory elevated the Buccaneers to the top of the league standings - three points clear of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns.
Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou's side will be in action again in Durban this weekend, as Bucs take on Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in the Nedbank Cup Round of 32 game on Saturday, February 7.
Pirates are three clear of Masandawana at the top ☠️🔝#SSDiski | #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/XWof14cdsg
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 3, 2026
Usuthu, on the other hand, remained fourth in the standings after missing the chance to go top of the standings with a win over Pirates.
It is back to the drawing board for coach Arthur Zwane and his side, with their Nedbank Cup Round of 32 fixture against Polokwane City scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Despite playing with five defenders, Usuthu could not contain the Buccaneers, who had adopted an attacking approach.
Pirates deservedly took a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute when Relebohile Mofokeng netted his second goal in as many matches with a header, turning home Tshepang Moremi's sublime cross.
Moremi's delivery here 🤯🤯
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 3, 2026
Rele Mofokeng scores in back-to-back league matches ⚽⚽
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Although AmaZulu did test Sipho Chaine, who denied Keegan Allan in the 19th minute, Darren Johnson was the busier of the two goalkeepers.
Johnson made fantastic saves to deny Deon Hotto (twice), Thalente Mbatha and Oswin Appollis towards the halftime break, and Pirates were enjoying a slender 1-0 lead at the interval.
Mofokeng continued to be a thorn in the Usuthu defence after the restart and the Bafana Bafana international had a chance to grab his brace four minutes before the hour mark.
However, the 21-year-old placed his effort just over the crossbar after being awarded time and space to take a shot at goal.
AmaZulu launched late attacks as they looked to snatch a late goal and share the spoils with the Buccaneers.
However, Chaine was determined to go level with Kaizer Chiefs' Brandon Petersen for the most clean sheets (11) in the league and he pulled off a breaking save to deny Langelihle Mhlongo with six minutes left.
Pirates responded by sealing their 2-0 victory over AmaZulu in stoppage time after the hosts were caught napping at the back.
Eventual Man of the Match Mofokeng unleashed a powerful shot, which came off the upright before hitting the back of the net after deflecting off Johnson, who was credited with an own-goal.
𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇_𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓📰
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) February 3, 2026
Bucs Down Usuthu to Go Top
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AmaZulu 0
Pirates (1) 2 (Mofokeng 16', Johnson
AMAZULU: Johnson, Allan, Fielies, Mthethwa, Radebe, Zungu (Mhlongo 54'), Bern (Slatsha 67'), Hanamub, Ekstein (Maqokolo 54'), Mbanjwa (Mashigo 81'), Ngwenya (Sithole 81')
PIRATES: Chaine, van Rooyen (Sebelebele 60'), Sibisi, Seema, Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha (Nemtajela 60'), Moremi (Msendami 79'), Appollis (De Jong 79'), Mofokeng, Mbuthuma (Makgopa 89')