Cape Town - Orlando Pirates striker Justin Shonga has expressed his gratitude toward Buccaneers head coach Milutin Sredojevic and his assistant Rulani Mokwena following his brace in Sunday's 4-2 win over Chippa United. 

The Zambia international put Pirates 2-1 ahead before Chippa pulled level through Katlego Mashego in the 83rd minute. However, Thembinkosi Lorch made it 3-2 before Shonga fired in a spectacular fourth in injury time. 

The result sees the Sea Robbers move to second in the Premiership standings, just four points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns with eight matches to play. 

Speaking to SuperSport after the match, he said: "I would like to thank God for giving me this opportunity and the coaches for pushing me to work hard in the Absa Premiership and now I am coping with the games. 

"We had to push each other because we knew we were not playing from home, we were playing away so we had to keep that focus. 

"We were looking for that one goal and hoping we could maintain it and defend it, but we had to dig deep and push each other. We knew it would come if we continued to work hard and it finally paid off.” 

Meanwhile, the Sea Robbers take on rivals Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday at the FNB Stadium.

Kick-off is at 15:30.