Posted in Match Report, News, Team News on May 03, 2025.
Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1
(Lilepo 2’)
Orlando Pirates (1) 2
(Makgopa 24’, Mofokeng 68’)
Betway Premiership
FNB stadium, Nasrec
After a bright opening in which they took an early lead, Kaizer Chiefs went down 2-1 to Orlando Pirates in their Betway Premiership clash at FNB stadium on Saturday. Despite the result, Amakhosi fully played their part in a exciting, hard-fought clash that bore all the passionate hallmarks of the great Soweto Derby.
Glody Lilepo gave the Amakhosi faithful a dream start with the opener in the second minute, before Evidence Makgopa equalised in the 24th minute. Relebohile Mofokeng netted the winner after the break, in the 68th minute, and Chiefs ended with 10 men following the stoppage-time dismissal of Bradley Cross for a second yellow card, which will rule him out of next week’s Nedbank Cup final against the same opposition.
Amakhosi got off to a flying start in front of the capacity crowd, going ahead after barely two minutes. Dillan Solomons expertly intercepted a loose Deon Hotto pass and scurried forward before knocking the ball square to Lilepo, whose first-time shot found the far corner of the net with unerring accuracy from just inside the box.
Chiefs were ascendant and were first to every second ball and dominant in the 50-50 challenges that are the hallmark of these encounters. Gaston Sirino came close to doubling the lead, only foiled at the last, and Mduduzi Shabalala had a decent penalty shout waived away when he was felled by Mbekezeli Mbokazi after 15 minutes.
At the other end, Edmilson Dove made an excellent tackle to deny Tapelo Xoki, following a quick free kick, but the Buccaneers drew level on 24 minutes against the run of play when they broke up a promising Chiefs attack and the ball found its way to Mohau Nkota on the right. Striker, Evidence Makgops got himself goal-side of Dove to collect Nkota’s pass and beat Bvuma to make it 1-1.
Bvuma produced a world-class save five minutes later, leaping to tip over a Xoki header from a free kick.
Yet, it was Chiefs who almost retook the lead on the stroke of halftime, as Pule Mmodi fed Yusuf Maart in space town the left and only some smart goalkeeping from Sipho Chaine prevented Lilepo from scoring again, and they went into the break on equal terms.
The game was more attritional in the second half, with both teams going all out ofr victory, yet in large part, cancelling each other out. It was still gripping viewing, as neither set of players shied away from contact an confrontation, to the delight of the supporters.
The match was decided in the 68th minute, as Hotto and Mofokeng exchanged passes to enter the Chiefs danger zone, a lucky break saw the ball flicked back into Mofokeng’s path by Hotto, and the youngster finished off clinically to put the visitors into a lead they would not relinquish.
The Glamour Boys currently lie 10th in the Betway Premiership standings and with two rounds of the league remaining, will need all six poits on offer if they are to finish in the top eight.
However, all attention now turns to next Saturday’s Nedbank Cup final at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban, where Chiefs will be determined to redeem themselves against Pirates and get their hands on that glittering trophy.
Line-ups
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma (44), Kwinika (4), Cross(48), Dove (2), Solomons (18), Maart © (8) (Castillo (17) 85’), Ngcobo (12) (Cele (21) 78’), Mmodi (13) (Morris (40) 78’), Shabalala (42), Lilepo (99), Sirino (10) (Du Preez (9) 67’)
Subs not used: Petersen (1), Mashiane (19), Miguel (84), Matlou (22), Mthethwa (5)
Coach: Nasreddine Nabi
Orlando Pirates: Chaine (24), Xoki (27), Mbokazi (44), Shandu (26) (Ndlozi (34) 65’), Mako (29) (Dlamini (18) 46’), Mbatha (16) (Radiopane (42) 88’), Makhaula (8), Mofokeng (38), Nkota (33), Hotto (7), Makgopa (17) (Selepe (47) 88’)
Subs not used: Buthelezi (35), Madiba (30), Kimvuidi (25), Maela (23), Mabasa (19)
Coach: Jose Riveiro
