Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates played out a 1-1 draw at the Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday afternoon, on reflection the result was a fair one as both teams created the opportunities to have won the game.

Chiefs took the lead close to the end of the first half thanks to some nifty footwork from Serge Djiehoua who tucked away a difficult chance, Pirates were let back into the game in the second half when Lucky Lekgwathi found an equalizer off a Bennett Chenene corner. It was a goal which Chiefs could have prevented, a clash on the line between goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez and Ditheko Mototo allowed the ball to roll over the line and into the net.

The first chance of the afternoon came the way of Chiefs striker David Radebe after just three minutes of play, when Arthur Zwane broke down the right flank after the Chiefs defence had foiled a Pirates attack. Zwane beat his marker and played a cross towards Radebe who jumped through the air and met the ball which passed Francis Chansa, instead of hitting the back of the net Radebe could only find the side netting. A minute on and Benedict Vilakazi spurned the opportunity to give his team the lead, as Patrick Mayo failed to properly clear his line the diminutive Pirates midfielder disposed. Vilakazi tried to bring the ball under control, but was unable to fully control it and from inside the Chiefs six yard area he managed to miss the target as effort on goal flew over Fernandez.

Pirates managed to conjure up a string of decent short passes which culminated with Jabu Mahlangu being set free on the right, Mahlangu wasted no time in knocking a ball towards the far post. Where he found team mate team mate Mulondo Sikhwivhilu lurking the former Blacks player could both direct his header, and headed the ball wide of Rowen Fernandez this action occurred in the 31st minute of play. As half time approached Serge Djiehoua was brought down by Innocent Mdledle on the right flank a few meters into the Pirates half of the field, Chiefs were awarded a free kick and Djiehoua picked himself up and moved towards the Pirates goal. In the mean time Fabian McCarthy lined up to take the free kick and sent a deep searching ball into the Pirates 18 yard area, with Siyabonga Nkosi heading it forward and found Serge Djiehoua who controlled the ball with his chest before turning and hitting the ball on the volley past Francis Chansa to put Chiefs ahead. It was a lead that Chiefs held onto going into the halftime break leading by a goal to nil.

Pirates had most of the possession in the second half and began to look for an equalizer as soon as the game was restarted, Onyekachi Okonkwo did all the hard work and passed a ball down the centre to Manuel Bucuane he was beaten to the ball by Rowen Fernandez who managed to palm it to Fabian McCarthy who cleared the danger. On the hour mark David Obua produced the highlight of the match, when he was the fortunate recipient of a short Arthur Zwane pass. Obua let the ball roll in front of him before sweetly striking the ball with the outside of his boot, the ball flew past Chansa and crashed on the under side of the cross bar. Obua and a number of his teams were the opinion that the ball had crossed the line, but the referee was having none of it and let the game continue.

On sixty three minutes Pirates substitute Bennett Chenene knocked in a corner from the right, which Lucky Lekgwathi headed towards goal at first it looked as though Rowen Fernandez had the ball under control. That was until Ditheko Mototo knocked into Fernandez and some how the ball managed to squeeze between the two Chiefs players who were standing on the line and rolled into the back of the net. With ten minutes to go Rowen Fernandez was called into action when Fabian McCarthy knocked over Excellent Walaza Chenene picked up the lose ball, the referee waved play on and Chenene moved into the danger zone and went for the glory. Fernandez who had ran off his line put his hands in front of his face and managed to block the ball and got rid of the danger.

The game was not as exciting and did not hold the same dramatic twist as was the case when the teams met earlier in the season in December last year, the result was a good one for Pirates it certainly did not do any favours for Chiefs. Who now need to win their remaining two games of the season if they are to qualify and try and launch a successful defence of their SAA Supa8 crown.

Line Up’s:

Orlando Pirates: 44. F. Chansa, 14. L. Lekgwahi, 19. I. Mdeledle, 17. S. Lehlohonolo,

32. L. Thwala, 28. O. Okonkwo, 15. B. Vilakazi, 40. R. Ramudzuli,

11. J. Mahlangu (42. Chenene 56 min), 39. M. Sihhwivhilu,

09. M. Bucuane (8. Walaza 55 min)




Substitutes: 01. A. Phali, 46. T. Coyle, 33. T. Chabalala, 38. B. Cashibe, 42. B. Chenene, 41. J. Merahe, 08. E. Walaza




Coach: Kalambay Mutombo

Kaizer Chiefs: 1. R. Fernandez, 33. D. Mototo, 6. F. McCarthy, 21. P. Mayo,

18. A. Zwane, 13. D. Obua (11. Ngobese 68 min), 8. T. Nengomasha, 28. D. Spencer,

31. D. Radebe ( 25. Schalkwyk 74 min), 9. S. Djiehoua (22. Kilambe 53 min)




Substitutes: 32. I. Khune, 11. E. Ngobese, 25. G. Schalkwyk, 12. T. Mooki,

44. S. Mkhonza, 24. D. Mathebula, 22. R. Kilambe




Coach: Kostadin Papic

Cautions: Orlando Pirates:, Yellow Cards, 19. Innocent Mdledle 41 min

Kaizer Chiefs, Yellow Cards, 8. Tinashe Nengomasha 26 min, 28. Derrick Spencer 56 min

Officials:


Referee: Mahlomola Nhlapho


Assistant1: Sandile Dilikane


Assistant 2: Livhuwani Netshion Golwe


4th Official: Baitse Manca