Orlando Pirates signalled their early Premier Soccer League title intent and Tendai Ndoro his top scorer's ambitions with a hat trick in Bucs' 3-1 win against Lamontville Golden Arrows on Wednesday night.
Bucs enjoyed a sparkling second half at Orlando Stadium as Ndoro opened the scoring in the49th minute.
Nduduzo Sibiya equalised for Arrows in the 62nd. But the irrepressible Ndoro added gems in the 67th and 77th.
After a lacklustre first half, Bucs looked polished and superbly conditioned under their impressive new technical staff and overwhelmed a skilful but outgunned Arrows.
Pirates coach Muhsin Ertugral started with new defender from Arrows Thembela Sikhakhane at right-back against his old club.
He had Oupa Manyisa back in midfield after long-term injury.
Felipe Ovono was in goal, with Jackson Mabokgwane on the bench and Brighton Mhlongo not even in the squad.
New midfielder Abbubaker Mobara was suspended from last season.
The two teams played a pretty game of skilful football in the first half, though with no real end product.
Arrows enjoyed the better of the half-chances, with striker Lerato Lamola, their most dangerous player, coming closest hitting Ovono's side-netting.
Ertugral introduced Thabo Qalinge for Bernard Morrison as Bucs sought urgency from the break.
They opened the scoring when Mpho Makola fed Thabo Rakhale down the right, whose low cross found Ndoro free for a tap-in in the middle.
Arrows equalised when Ovono spilled Arrows left-back Lehlohonolo Nonyane's cross into the path of Kudakwashe Mahachi, who hit the upright with Bucs' keeper stranded. Wing Nuduzo Sibiya swept in the equaliser.
Within four minutes Ndoro restored Pirates' lead, rising to powerfully head in Makola's swerving free-kick.
And the Zimbabwean's goals just got better and better. His third came after beautiful interplay by Bucs, again involving Makola, as Ndoro turned, took a step into the box and struck a steaming third past keeper Maximilian Mbaeva into the top-right corner.