Buccaneers outpace AmaZulu

● Orlando Pirates returned to winning ways, going above Mamelodi Sundowns into second in the Premier Soccer League standings as they snapped a run of six games without success by walloping AmaZulu 4-1 in Johannesburg last night.

Pirates came from behind to take the points, which puts them on 36, the same as the champions, who had drawn earlier in the day, putting on a show of incredible running with numerous sprinting attacks.

Pirates, ahead of Sundowns on goals scored, are only two points behind leaders Bidvest Wits after a scintillating performance of pacy wing play as they cut open the AmaZulu defence with speed and finished their goals in almost identical fashion.

Thembinkosi Lorch, again man of the match, was the architect with strong support from Vincent Pule, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Justin Shonga and Luvuyo Memela, starting his first game of the season after an injury lay-off.

But Pirates went behind in the 13th minute. AmaZulu’s goal was made and finished by Jabulani Ncobeni, who stole the ball away in the midfield and then raced half the length of the pitch to get onto the end of a perfect pass from Michael Morton.

But that lead lasted just seven minutes before Mahachi equalised, sliding in at the back post to convert Pule’s square pass.

Memela made it 2-1 in the 41st minute after AmaZulu had lost possession and Pirates put together some passes and an easy finish.

Two minutes later Lorch’s square pass from the right set up Shonga in a replica of the first two goals.

But the best came late in the game as a series of short passing culminated with Ben Motshwari hitting the ball with fearsome power on the half volley for a perfect finish.