JOHANNESBURG - Orlando Pirates beat Chippa United 3-0 on Sunday to replace rivals Kaizer Chiefs as leaders of the South African Premiership after matchday three.
Defending champions Pirates, second-placed Chiefs and AmaZulu all have seven points and are separated by goal difference.
Pirates were lying second behind Chiefs until the 87th minute when new Zimbabwe signing Daniel Msendami punished a defensive mistake to beat Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Nwabali, who won silver and bronze medals at the last two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, recently returned to Chippa after failing to find a new club.
The Nigerian must take the blame for Pirates' opening goal on 60 minutes in Durban when he failed to hold a shot from Zambian Gamphani Lungu at his near post and it bounced into the net.
Pirates increased their advantage just four minutes later when Lebone Seema nodded a corner across Nwabali into the far corner of the net.
"I posed some questions to my players at half-time and they produced fantastic answers during the second half," said Pirates' coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.
Durban club Golden Arrows have not scored or conceded since the season kicked off after a third straight 0-0 draw, this time away to TS Galaxy.
- AFP