A never-say-die attitude from Orlando Pirates delivered a dramatic 1-0 win in their Soweto Derby clash against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Saturday. A late winner was the difference between the two sides, with the Buccaneers clinching three crucial Betway Premiership points after edging out their fiercest rivals.
Billed as the hosts in the highly-anticipated encounter, José Riveiro’s charges were looking for a winning return to league football after three weeks in cup action. Their first assignment back was a big one as they renewed rivalries with the Glamour Boys, who had run into some form in the lead-up to the mammoth clash.
With a sellout crowd showing up to the World Cup venue, fireworks began just seconds after kick-off – helped along by a nervy start from both sets of defenders. Chiefs were the first to concede a chance to the opposition, relinquishing possession to Patrick Maswanganyi who connected with Relebohile Mofokeng before a swift recovery from the visitors. A similar opportunity was afforded to Pule Mmodi at the other end, with the winger going one-on-one with Sipho Chaine who left his line to pull off a crucial stop.
The exciting start was only a prelude to a scrappy period which was not completely void of shots at goal. Pirates came close through Tshegofatso Mabasa, whose shot from close range was deflected out by Rushwin Dortley. It was followed up by a wayward effort towards the Bucs goal by midfielder Sibongiseni Mthethwa, who placed the ball way off target from a long way out.
Much of the first-half chances continued to fall to the home sides as they benefited from pressure placed on goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma. The shot-stopper placed a few wayward passes, leading to goal attempts for Thalente Mbatha and Tshegofatso Mabasa. It was the striker who had the best of these opportunities when he received the ball inside the penalty area moments from the break, only to direct his effort wide.
The two Soweto Giants headed into the tunnel still goalless, despite the odd close call at both halves of the pitch. Chiefs would emerge from the interval looking the more determined of the two as they fired the first shot on target early in the second period through Pule Mmodi, who could only place the ball into Chaine’s hands.
Pirates were the dominant side however as Mabasa forced a save off Bvuma with a right-footed shot from a tight angle in the 57th minute. His was followed by a similar attempt from Mofokeng just five minutes later, moments before Makhehlenii Makhaula launched a long-range stinger which could only be parried out for a corner by the Amakhosi gloveman.
Bvuma was kept busy throughout the dying moments, denying Deon Hotto twice in the final 10 minutes to keep things goalless. He looked to have pulled off a crucial last-gasp save in injury time to thwart Mofokeng who had surged into the penalty area, but it was aided by a pull from Njabulo Blom and the referee swiftly pointed to the penalty spot.
Patrick Maswanganyi stepped up to take the spot kick, producing an audacious chip that sent Bvuma the wrong way with seconds left on the clock.
Own Correspondent/News Agencies
