Orlando Pirates (0) 1
(Sebelebele 75’)

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1
(Mmodi 62’)

Betway Premiership
FNB stadium, Nasrec

The 185^th Soweto Derby ended even as Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs drew 1-1 in their Betway Premiership clash at FNB stadium on Sunday.

Choosing an opportune and auspicious moment to net his first league goal of the season, Pule Mmodi fired Amakhosi into the lead shortly after the hour mark, finishing off from a mesmerising run from Wandile Duba, before Kamogela Sebelebele equalised with 15 minutes remaining.

Following an initial delay of 30 minutes that was extended by a further 15 minutes to allow the throngs of supporters to enter the stadium, the match got off to the type of frenetic start that is a hallmark of Soweto Derbies, and no quarter was asked nor given.

Chiefs enjoyed the better of the first 10 minutes, with Pule Mmodi looking dangerous on the flanks and Siphesihle Ndlovu and Lebohang Maboe joining Sibongiseni Mthethwa in putting themselves about, as the Glamour Boys more than matched their rivals in steel, determination and physicality. To an extent, the flurry of injury stoppages disrupted the flow of the half, with both teams not holding back.

Defensively, Chiefs showed their fortitude on more than one occasion, particularly in the 22^nd minute when Brandon Petersen saved bravely at the feet of Relebohile Mofokeng before Given Msimango made a goal-saving tackle to prevent Yanlela Mbuthuma from knocking the rebound into the net. That combination came to Amakhosi’s rescue again a few minutes before half-time, with Petersen again pulling off a brilliant parried save to deny Sebelebele and Msimango clearing as Mbuthuma closed in on the loose ball.

Despite a close shave here and there, Amakhosi were well in the match when the referee brought the first half to a close with no score on the board.

With the introduction of Mduduzi Shabalala for Mthethwa, Amakhosi came out for the second period with a greater appetite to push forward. They came close in the 51^st minute when Thabiso Monyane glanced a header just wide from a Free kick out wide, and six minutes later, Glody Lilepo volleyed wide from 20 yards out.

Chiefs took a deserved lead in the 62^nd minute after Duba set off on a fantastic run that began inside his own half, outstripping two attempted tackles to break free. He showed the maturity and composure to lift his head and pick out Mmodi at the far post, who made no mistake with a close-range finish.

The goal boosted Chiefs’ confidence, and Lilepo struck a free kick from 30 yards that skidded past the post.

Pirates were trying their best to draw level and Petersen was again called into action to tip a Mofokeng shot past the post. Chiefs’ luck ran out in the 75^th minute as Pirates sewpt the ball to Oswin Appoliis on the left, who slipped Deon Hotto into space. Petersen parried his shot away, but this time Sebelele was on hand to finish off the rebound to make it 1-1.

Both teams went all out for the victory, and Petersen saved well from Appollis in the 79th minute before Nkosinathii Sibisi needed to make a last-ditch clearance off a Monyane cross as Flavio Da Silva and Lilepo closed in to finish off.

The ultimate result of 1-1 will suit Chiefs slightly better than Pirates and may have a say in where the Betway Premiership title ends up. However, third-placed Amakhosi will only be focused on their next mission, a midweek visit to Siwelele, to build on their 47 points from 25 games and gain as many points as possible from the final five fixtures of the campaign.

Line-ups

Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen © (1); Cross (48), McCarthy (35), Msimango (25), Monyane (2), Mthethwa (5) Shabalala (7) 46’), Ndlovu (8) (Cele (21) 90+2’), Maboe (6), Mmodi (13) (Velebayi (17) 90+6’), Lilepo (99), Duba (47) (Da Silva (77) 75’)

Subs not used: Bvuma (16); Miguel (84), Frosler (39), Chislett (21), Vilakazi (28)

Coaches: Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze

Orlando Pirates: Chaine (24); Sibisi © (5), Seema (33), Sibelebele (36), Hotto (7), Makhaula (8) (Nemtajela (15) 46’), Mofokeng (38), Mbatha (16), Mbuthuma (9) (Makgopa (17) 67’), Moremi (11) (Masanganyi (28) 34’), Appolis (12) (Ndaba (3) 85’)

Subs not used: Buthelezi (35); Dansin (46), Chabatsane (43), Van Rooyen (21), De Jong (14) 

Coach: Ouaddou Abdeslami