A second half goal from Samir Nurkovic handed Kaizer Chiefs a slender 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates in their DStv Premiership match at FNB Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Pirates started the better of the two teams with the first effort on goal in the fifth minute, but Deon Hotto saw his powerful shot from the edge of the box saved by the Chiefs keeper.
The Amakhosi took a stranglehold of the game after that and should have taken the lead in the 20th minute when Bernard Parker found Happy Mashiane in space inside the box, but he fired straight at the keeper.
Chiefs went close again five minutes later, this time Samir Nurkovic saw his stinging shot from the edge of the box shave the wrong side of the woodwork.
Pirates created a chance for themselves on the half hour mark when Onassis Mntambo worked his way into the box, but he saw his 14-yard effort superbly saved by Daniel Akpeyi.
Neither team could break the deadlock before the break and entered halftime locked at 0-0.
Ten minutes into the second half, however, and Chiefs took the lead when Nurkovic met a cross from Lazarous Kambole with superb 12-yard bicycle-kick that found the corner of the net, 1-0.
Pirates tried to get back into the game and came close to the equalizer in the 68th minute when an 18-yard shot from Fortune Makaringe whistled just past the post.
The Amakhosi should have put the game beyond doubt in the 77th minute when Mashiane played Nurkovic through on goal, but he fired wide with just the keeper to beat.
Pirates piled on the pressure in the final ten minutes, but were unable to find an equalizer as Chiefs won 1-0.
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Nurkovic 54’)
Orlando Pirates (0) 0
Teams
Chiefs: Akpeyi, Ngezana, Mathoho, Cardoso, Blom, Mashiane (Zulu 83’), Parker, Ngcobo (Matsheke 76’), Frosler, Nurkovic, Kambole.
Pirates: Mpontshane, Nyauza (Makaringe 46’), Hlatshwayo, Maela, Mako, Ndlovu, Monare (Mhango 79’), Motshwari, Hotto, Pule (Mabasa 71’), Mntambo (Dlamini 46’).
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
