Orlando Pirates turned in a commanding performance to come off 4-1 winners in the Original Derby, overcoming Swallows in their DStv Premiership fixture played at Dobsonville Stadium on Friday night.
Faced with two Soweto Derbies on the road in consecutive weeks, the Buccaneers fell short against Kaizer Chiefs in their previous fixture, and were determined to make amends against their oldest rivals.
A mostly uneventful start was jolted into life spectacularly six minutes in when the visitors made the breakthrough.
The decisive moment came through the boot of Monnapule Saleng, who made it 1-0 after positioning himself well inside the penalty area before flicking the ball into the back of the net as the Buccaneers attacked from the left.
Despite being in the lead, the men in black looked untroubled in possession midway through the first half, with the home side happy to absorb pressure instead of looking to create chances of their own.
The hosts did grow into the encounter late into the first 45, with Tawanda Macheke almost turning one in from a set piece 10 minutes before the break, and later had a similar opportunity moments before the halftime whistle.
The break proved to be a welcome intervention for the Buccaneers, who could not have asked for a better start to the second half when Saleng’s excellent work on the left flank allowed Dzvukamanja in for the second goal of the game as he deflected the ball into the back of the net seconds after the restart.
Pirates stood up well to Swallows’ efforts to pull one back, and were impactful at the other end where they made it 3-0 after a swift attack from deep, which involved Thembinkosi Lorch and Kabelo Dlamini, who set up Saleng from his second of the night on the half-hour mark.
The home side’s attempts to launch a desperate comeback were easily rebuffed by their rivals, who stood firm at the back through Tapelo Xoki and Sandile Mthethwa.
They were however able to pull one back later on as Mthokozisi Shwabule managed to breach Sipho Chaine’s defences with 14 minutes left on the clock.
Swallows launched a barrage of attacks late in the encounter, but the next goal would come against the run of play as Kermit Erasmus connected with Saleng, who calmly completed his hat-trick with a cool finish to make it 4-1.
That turned out to be the final score, with the Buccaneers earning an emphatic victory in the Original Derby to cement their spot in the top three with a handful of games remaining in the campaign.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Xoki, Mthethwa, Mako, Makhaula (Motshwari 85’), Timm, Saleng, Hotto, Dlamini (Erasmus 73’), Lorch (Marou 73’), Dzvukamanja.
