ORLANDO Pirates ended the unbeaten league run of SuperSport United this season with a 3-0 triumph on Saturday in the highlight of five South African Premiership matches.
Former Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy converted a penalty mid-way through the first half and Zambia midfielder Isaac Chansa doubled the lead before half time.
SuperSport's hopes of a comeback were snuffed out just four minutes into the second half when Ndumiso Mabena completed the scoring for the resurgent defending champions.
It was the second league victory in four days for the 'Buccaneers', who confront fellow Johannesburg club Bidvest Wits next Saturday in the Telkom Knockout Cup final.
SuperSport, who topped the championship table three times in a row before surrendering the title to Pirates last season, had won eight matches and drawn four since the 2011-12 campaign kicked off.
Pirates's revival after four early season league losses is a timely boost for Brazilian coach Julio Leal, amid media reports of favouritism and ill discipline in the squad.
Free State Stars remain third after a 2-0 home win over Cape Town strugglers Santos, with Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene scoring the late second goal with a penalty kick.
Moroka Swallows joined Stars on 24 points - four less than SuperSport - by putting a couple of recent defeats behind them to thrash lowly Black Leopards 4-1 in Soweto, where David Mathebula bagged a brace. Veteran striker Siyabonga Nomvete slotted home a penalty and Ashraf Hendricks was the other scorer for the home side.
Despite resting seven players who would have been ruled out of the final against Pirates if they were cautioned, Wits surged to a two-goal lead at home to Golden Arrows before losing momentum and being held 2-2.
Sifiso Vilakazi struck twice for the 'Clever Boys' before Thamsanqwa Gabuza reduced the arrears and Zambia striker Collins Mbesuma levelled midway through the second half.
Bucs serve notice to title pretenders
ORLANDO Pirates ended the unbeaten league run of SuperSport United this season with a 3-0 triumph on Saturday in the highlight of five South African Premiership matches.
Former Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy converted a penalty mid-way through the first half and Zambia midfielder Isaac Chansa doubled the lead before half time.
SuperSport's hopes of a comeback were snuffed out just four minutes into the second half when Ndumiso Mabena completed the scoring for the resurgent defending champions.
It was the second league victory in four days for the 'Buccaneers', who confront fellow Johannesburg club Bidvest Wits next Saturday in the Telkom Knockout Cup final.
SuperSport, who topped the championship table three times in a row before surrendering the title to Pirates last season, had won eight matches and drawn four since the 2011-12 campaign kicked off.
Pirates's revival after four early season league losses is a timely boost for Brazilian coach Julio Leal, amid media reports of favouritism and ill discipline in the squad.
Free State Stars remain third after a 2-0 home win over Cape Town strugglers Santos, with Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene scoring the late second goal with a penalty kick.
Moroka Swallows joined Stars on 24 points - four less than SuperSport - by putting a couple of recent defeats behind them to thrash lowly Black Leopards 4-1 in Soweto, where David Mathebula bagged a brace. Veteran striker Siyabonga Nomvete slotted home a penalty and Ashraf Hendricks was the other scorer for the home side.
Despite resting seven players who would have been ruled out of the final against Pirates if they were cautioned, Wits surged to a two-goal lead at home to Golden Arrows before losing momentum and being held 2-2.
Sifiso Vilakazi struck twice for the 'Clever Boys' before Thamsanqwa Gabuza reduced the arrears and Zambia striker Collins Mbesuma levelled midway through the second half.