They are a team bang in form, scoring goals and keeping clean sheets, the formula you need to be league champions.
Early goal
Pirates were ahead inside three minutes to settle any nerves there may have been around Orlando Stadium as Relebohile Mofokeng beat the offside trap and his low ball into the six-yard box was turned in by Yanela Mbuthuma. The latter has overtaken Evidence Makgopa as the lead forward at the club, which is not a good sign for the beanpole striker with the 2026 World Cup at the end of the campaign. It was a well-taken goal.
Tito on target
Better news for Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is the return to form of Patrick Maswanganyi, with Sipho Mbule seemingly less influential at the club and battling for minutes. Just who will fill that ‘number 10’ role at the World Cup behind Lyle Foster will be fascinating. Maswanganyi scored his side’s second as he unleashed a drive from 25 yards that took a wicked deflection and ended up in the back of the net. It is still his goal, though.
Magnificent Mofokeng
Mofokeng might be the favourite for that ‘10’ position and he is back to his best with a third goal in as many league games for the playmaker. It added to his assist earlier in the game and he was the standout player again. He picked up the ball 40 yards from goal and drove into the box, bamboozling several defenders as they failed to get in a challenge and dinking the ball into the back of the net. It was prime Mofokeng.
Growing lead
The result moves Pirates six points clear at the top of the Betway Premiership table, albeit that they have played a game more than second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns. Those two sides clash on Wednesday evening in what could be a pivotal moment in the title race. If Pirates win again, they will be well in charge. Their league fixture after that is against third-placed Kaizer Chiefs, so February really could be ‘move month’ in the title race this season.
All to play for
If Pirates keep picking up points at the same rate they have this season, they will end with 71. That could well be enough. Without the distraction of the CAF Champions League, which will occupy Sundowns for the foreseeable future, this really is their best chance in years to win the league, a trophy they have not held aloft since 2012. Given that their players will also be playing for World Cup places, this is an incredibly exciting time in the Pirates camp.
