Orlando Pirates registered their second straight win in the Absa Premiership when they defeated Polokwane City 3-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Kermit Erasmus and thabo Qalinge were on target in the first half before Lehlohonolo Majoro added a third late in the game after coming on as a substitute.

The hosts came close to getting an early lead in the 4th minute when Jabulani Maluleke’s freekick found Esau Kanyenda at the near post, but Senzo Meyiwa produced a good save to stop his header on the line.

The Buccaneers also had their first real opportunity from a setpiece in the 15th minute but Mpho Makola drilled his shot over the crossbar after his initial effort had been blocked by the ball.

Ayanda Gcaba had an opportunity in the 27th minute when he connected with Oupa Manyisa’s miscued effort on the left side of the box, only to redirect the ball over the crossbar.

The opening goal arrived in the 31st minute as Erasmus ran onto a pass from Patrick Phungwayo before beating Dino Visser with a powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area.

Vladimir Vermezovic’s side doubled their lead two minutes before the break as Mpho Makola cut the ball back from the right for Qalinge to finish with a first-time shot from inside the box.

Visser was the first goalkeeper to be tested in the second half as he spilled a stinging shot from Makola in the 56th minute before recovering the ball ahead of the onrushing Phungwayo.

The hosts had an opportunity to pull one goal back in the 76th minute when Linda Shiba lobbed the ball over Meyiwa after he was played through by Kanyenda on the right, only to see the ball flying just wide of the upright.

Five minutes later defender Benson Mhlongo tested Meyiwa with a powerful effort from long range, but the Pirates goalkeeper was positioned well to make a low save at the near post.

The Buccaneers increased their advantage in the 86th minute when Thapelo Tshilo failed to clear the ball, allowing Daine Klate to release Majoro on the right, who then placed his shot past Visser.

Klate came close to adding a fourth from a freekick on the edge of the penalty area following a foul on Myeni, but the winger curled his shot just wide of the upright as the match ended 3-0.

Polokwane City 0

Polokwane City: Visser, Musonda, Mngqibisa, Tshilo, Ngwepe (Mbhele 46’), Mhlongo, Shiba, Cole (Skosana 68’), Maluleke, Tlolane, Kanyenda

Orlando Pirates: Meyiwa, Gcaba, Phungwayo, Jele, Sangweni, Qalinge (Klate 71’), Ntshumayelo, Manyisa, Makola (Sarr 65’), Myeni, Erasmus (Majoro 65’)