Gabadinho Mhango bagged a hat-trick to inspire Orlando Pirates to a 4-1 victory over Polokwane City at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday, reports DYLAN APPOLIS.

Rise and Shine came into this encounter after returning to winning ways when they claimed a 2-0 victory over Chippa United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, 4 January.

The Buccaneers, meanwhile, played out to a 1-1 draw with Bloemfontein Celtic at the Dr Molemela Stadium in their previous league game on the same day.

Pirates got off to the perfect start to take the lead as early as in the fifth minute when Gabadinho Mhango curled his effort into the top corner.

Mhango then bagged a brace nine minutes later when he lobbed the ball over Polokwane keeper George Chigova to find the net and make it 2-0.

The Malawi international then completed his hat-trick 10 minutes before half time after latching on to a cross from Abel Mabaso to slot the ball home at the far post.

Polokwane were then given a chance to reduce the deficit when awarded a penalty in the 38th minute, but Mohammed Anas could only hit the frame of the goal from the spot kick.

The Buccaneers then made it 4-0 just before the break when Ben Motshwari latched on to a loose ball from a free kick to slot the ball past Chigova.

Rise and Shine came out the better team in the second half and pulled a goal back through Anas, who found the back of the net from close range with the Buccaneers defence caught napping.

Josef Zinnbauer opted to bring on a fresh pair on legs in the 75th minute when he replaced Fortune Makaringe with Linda Mntambo in midfield.

However, both sides pressed forward in the closing stages, but Pirates managed to hold on to their lead to move up to fifth place on the Absa Premiership table.