Orlando Pirates claimed a 3-1 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic to get their Absa Premiership campaign up and running at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening.

Pirates came into the game desperate for a fast start to the season as they target the championship crown after finishing second last season.

Celtic, on the other hand, are still battling financial issues but after a top-eight finish last season staying in the league would ultimately be the team’s objective and they would be hoping to take points off one of the pre-season favourites.

Milutin Sredojevic’s charges got off to the ideal start as Musa Nyatama slipped Augustine Mulenga through on goal, with the Zambian steadying himself and calmly guiding his shot past the goalkeeper to fire Pirates ahead with just five minutes gone.

The Soweto giants continued to press forward and came close to doubling their lead with 20 minutes gone as Luvuyo Memela was picked out at the front post, but he couldn’t direct his header on goal.

Celtic looked to find a way back into the game, but Alfred Ndengane was standing firm for the home side as he got in the way of an effort from a corner, deflecting it wide.

Phunya Sele Sele, though, eventually got their equaliser in 39th minute as a looping pass over the top fell between Wayne Sandilands and his defence, drawing the keeper off his line and allowing Mzwanele Mahashe to ghost in and head past Sandilands in the Pirates goal.

The Buccaneers were looking for a fast start in the second half and they got just that as Innocent Maela rose highest from a corner to head Pirates back into the lead with 55 minutes gone.

The side from Bloemfontein then looked to get back into the game and Tebogo Potsane tried his luck from range in the 70th minute which forced Sandilands into a top save.

The Pirates keeper was then brought into action again in the 75th minute as Menzi Masuku played Ronald Pfumbidzai through in the 74th minute and the forward forced Sandilands into a top save.

Pirates, however, sealed the three points a minute later as Vincent Pule flicked on a long ball into the path of debutant Gabadinho Mhango. The new Pirates signing ran straight for the goals before firing a powerful effort into the back of the net.

The Soweto giants claimed all three points in their season opener with a comprehensive performance at the Orlando Stadium.