Orlando Pirates completed a Betway Premiership ‘double’ over Soweto derby rivals Kaizer Chiefs after claiming a 2-1 win at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.
The Buccaneers came from a goal down to claim victory, bouncing back from their defeats to Pyramids FC (CAF Champions League) and Sekhukhune United (Premiership) in the past eight days to lay down a marker for a rematch against Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup final next weekend.
Pirates also closed the gap to league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns (who will be in action away to Cape Town City on Saturday night) to nine points.
As for the Amakhosi, this second successive loss extends their winless run in the league to seven matches, and is a further blow to their hopes of a top-eight finish. They remain in ninth, level with eighth-placed Chippa United, but have now played two more games than the Eastern Cape club.
The kick-off was delayed 30 minutes due to the late arrival of fans into the venue. Yet when the match did get going, it needed just 120 seconds to be set alight, as Chiefs claimed a stunning early lead.
Dillon Solomons stole possession high up the pitch, drove forward and squared to Makabi Lilepo, whose first-time shot had the beating of goalkeeper Sipho Chaine’s right hand to make it 1-0.
Pirates were stunned by the early goal, but gradually worked their way back into the game and levelled at 1-1 in the 24th minute. Mohau Nkota played a well-weighted pass in behind the Chiefs defence for Evidence Makgopa, who provided a composed finish through the legs of goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma.
The team in black nearly claimed the lead just past the half-hour mark when Tapelo Xoki headed on target from Deon Hotto’s free kick delivery, but Bvuma made an excellent reaction save to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Pirates continued to grow in confidence and created a chance for Makgopa a few minutes later, though this time his finish lacked the precision of the equalising goal, with the ball flashing wide of Bvuma’s right-hand post.
Chiefs ended the first half strongly and nearly went back in front in injury time before the break, as Yusuf Maart’s cross from the left was directed toward his own goal by Mbekezeli Mbokazi, but Chaine made a sharp save at his near post to keep the score level.
The Buccaneers made a tactical switch at the start of the second half, as Kabelo Dlamini replaced defender Paseka Mako, and Deon Hotto slotted into the left-back slot. Dlamini almost made an immediate impact, whipping a shot from the edge of the box just over the target in the 50th minute.
Pirates went ahead for the first time in the 69th minute, as Hotto and Relebohile Mofokeng combined to great effect, with the latter driving a low, left-footed shot through a crowded penalty to find the back of the net and put the visitors 2-1 up.
Bucs created further scoring chances for Nkota and Mofokeng, but Chiefs were able to survive and keep themselves alive in the game. The Amakhosi introduced the likes of Edson Castillo, Ashley du Preez, Tashreeq Morris and Thabo Cele to try and force an equaliser in the dying minutes.
However, the hosts were reduced to 10 men in injury time when Bradley Cross picked up a second yellow card and was sent off, effectively ending their hopes of a late comeback.
Pirates will be back in league action on Tuesday, 6 May, with a clash away to Golden Arrows, before they meet Chiefs again in the Nedbank Cup final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban next Saturday, 10 May.
– Edited match report from PSL website
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images