After a 2-0 loss in the MTN8 tournament final on Saturday, Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Waddu stated that the defending league champions would respond positively and still have many opportunities to compete this season.
The Pirates team defeated TS Galaxy 3-0 in the Betway Premiership match, which took place on Tuesday evening at the Orlando Amstel Arena stadium.
Boitumelo Radiopane opened the scoring in the first half, netting his third goal of the season; Tshepang Moremi and Simphiwe Masilela scored the second and third goals in the game, respectively.
Previously, Pirates lost to Sundowns at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, thus missing the chance to win their fifth consecutive MTN8 title. Nevertheless, Waddu emphasized that the defeat could serve as a valuable lesson, as the team shifts its focus to the four remaining competitions.
The Buccaneers continue to participate in the Betway Premiership, Nedbank Cup, Carling Knockout, and CAF Champions League, with defending the league championship remaining their main priority.
Given that the team had only two days' rest before the next match, the only acceptable result for the fans was to affirm their dominance in the title race by taking all three points in Esigodini.
In the CAF Champions League, the Buccaneers will play two consecutive matches against the Namibian team African Stars in the second qualifying round. Waddu will lead his team away on Saturday starting at 15:00, and the return match will be held in Orlando on Friday, October 23, at 19:00.
The match against Galaxy was the last league match for the Buccaneers before facing their arch-rivals and hometown team from Soweto, Kaizer Chiefs, in the big derby in Esigodini on October 31.
Overcoming the disappointment of the MTN8 final as soon as possible will be vital for the team's character and confidence ahead of the derby.
In another Premiership match on Tuesday, AmaZulu hosted Durban City with a score of 2-0 at the Chatsworth Stadium. Head coach Arthur Zwane likely welcomed the appearance of new names in his team's list of goalscorers; Mlondi Mbanхва and Athini Makokolo scored goals in the first half, securing the lead before halftime.