Daine Klate’s free kick goal early in the first half was the difference as Orlando Pirates defeated archrivals Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in their MTN8 first leg semifinal at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Buccaneers took the lead in the 12th minute when Klate curled a lovely free-kick that was positioned at the edge of the box and swerved around the Chiefs wall and beat a desperately lunging Itumeleng Khune on his right side, 1-0.

Chiefs were rattled by the early goal and could have conceded more as Pirates pilled on the pressure in the early stages of the match. Striker Bernard Parker, the leader of a somewhat disjointed forward line for Chiefs, tried numerous times with long range efforts that only found the stands.

The entrance of Knowledge Musona into the match at the start of the second half was the tonic Chiefs needed as the Zimbabwean international came close five minutes after the restart when he volleyed his effort over the crossbar from eight-yards.

The on-loan striker from Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga was at it again moments later when he let rip with a cracking shot which went high over the bar from outside the box.

Chiefs had their best chance to equalise in the 67th minute when strikers Musona and Parker both played a one-two with each other over the Bucs defenders which ultimately ended with Parker seeing his effort come off the post.

Ten minutes later Kermit Erasmus, who had only been on the pitch for just two minutes, could have doubled his team’s lead when the former SuperSport United striker received a ball from the right flank and just saw his header go marginally wide of the target.

If Erasmus was close then Tshabalala went closer, with just six minutes remaining in the contest, as he tried another audacious effort, breaking free from his marker and letting rip with a powerful left footed shot that went just wide.

The match ended with Bucs sealing a narrow win with the return leg being played at their Orlando Stadium home ground on September 24.

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 0

Orlando Pirates (1) 1 (Klate 12’)

Chiefs: Khune, Gaxa, Masha, Mathoho, Masilela, Katsande, Yeye, Shabba, Parker (Nkhatha 69’), Majoro (Musona 46’), Lebese (Masango 81’)

Pirates: Meyiwa, Jele, Matlaba, Mahamutsa, Lekgwathi, Masalesa, Manyisa, Myeni (Moholo 87’), Bacela (Gabuza 65’), Klate (Erasnus 75’), Segolela