Orlando Pirates bounce back from cup exit after seeing off SuperSport United

Evidence Makgopa and Deon Hotto found the back of the net in each half as the Soweto giants went to the top of the table with a maximum 12 points so far in the campaign.

Both teams came into the contest after cup exits at the weekend, Pirates falling to a shock defeat against Magesi while Matsatsantsa lost to Kaizer Chiefs in the Carling Knockout Cup.

The Buccaneers made the perfect start when they took the lead in the second minute as a simple long ball from Thabiso Sesane found Evidence Makgopa and the forward made no mistake with the finish.

The visitors thought they had equalised in the 25th minute but Tashreeq Morris' effort from close-range after a rebound was adjudged to have been offside.

Gavin Hunt's charges struggled to breakdown the home side's defence with the final ball always lacking while the stubborn Pirates defence stood firm.

As SuperSport threw more men forward, Pirates were dangerous on the counter-attack and Relebohile Mofokeng came close to doubling the lead late on but saw his shot blocked by desperate last-ditch defending.

The hosts finally put the game to bed in injury-time when Deon Hotto found the back of the net to make sure his team took maximum points from the contest.

While Pirates sit pretty at the top of the top of the table, Matsatsantsa have only won one of their five league matches this season and take on Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.

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