PIRATES RALLY TO EXTEND SOWETO DERBY DOMINANCE
Orlando Pirates extended their unbeaten run against Kaizer Chiefs in the Absa Premiership to eight games following a 2-1 win over their rivals at a packed FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday afternoon.
Khama Billiat fired the Amakhosi ahead before two goals in three first-half minutes from Innocent Maela and Vincent Pule guided the Buccaneers in front and ultimately to victory.
It is the first time in over 20 years that a team has come from behind to win the Soweto Derby. Victory moves Pirates five points clear of Chiefs and a point behind league leaders Bidvest Wits.
The game got off to a lively start with both teams showing their intent from the onset and Siyabonga Mpontshane had to have his wits about him int he 14th minute, following a ball played in behind the Pirates defence, to keep out Billiat.
Moments later, though, the Chiefs attacker found the back of the net for his first Soweto Derby goal following a mistake by Mpontshane. The Buccaneers goalkeeper failed to hold onto Godfrey Walusimbi’s cross and in doing so pushed the ball into the path of Billiat who prodded into an empty net.
Pirates had a chance to level matters in the 28th minute following a foul on Augustine Mulenga by Siyabonga Ngezana. Justin Shonga stepped up to the spot, but failed to convert as Itumeleng Khune pulled off a good save.
Chiefs’ celebrations, though, were cut short in an extraordinary passage of play that will live long in memory, with Maela rising highest from corner-kick moments later to pull the Sea Robbers level.
This before the Zambian contingent of Shonga and Mulenga teamed up down the left flank with the latter playing in Pule for an easy finish to give Pirates the lead in a sensational three-minute turnaround.
Chiefs improved following the interval and Leonardo Castro should’ve done better two minutes into the second-half after being played through on goal, but the Colombian could only succeed in guiding a tame effort straight at Mpontshane.
Pirates had their chances at the other end of the pitch with Shonga failing to convert a gilt-edged chance just short of the hour mark as he failed to hit the target with the goal at his mercy.
Chiefs pushed forward in search of the equaliser in the dying stages of the clash, but Pirates held firm to ultimately claim all three points and Soweto Derby bragging rights.
Orlando Pirates (2) 2 (Maela 29′ Pule 32′)
Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1 (Billiat 15′)
Orlando Pirates: Mpontshane, Jele, Munetsi, Mobara, Maela, Mlambo (Makola 89′), Motshwari, Pule (Mako 80′), Lorch, Shonga (Mntambo 62′), Mulenga.
Kaizer Chiefs: Khune, Mphahlele, Ngezana, Booysen, Walusimbi, Katsande, Ntshangase, Zuma, Billiat (Mahlasela 78′), Castro (Moon 74′), Parker (Ekstein 64′).
