Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates played to an entertaining one-all draw in an Absa Premiership fixture at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Willard Katsande scored the opener in the Soweto Derby, after which the Buccaneers equalised in the second half.

Itumeleng Khune returned in goal after having fully recovered from his knee operation. His last competitive game was Chiefs’ home Derby on 31 October 2015, which ended in a 3-1 loss. His comeback came in the return match.

Khune showed once again his big match temperament, making several fine saves.

As usual with a Soweto Derby, the game started at a ferocious pace, with both sides coming out with the intention to attack.

Katsande was back to beef up the midfield, winning balls and, simply, being everywhere when needed.

Amakhosi looked to score the opening goal in the 19th minute, when George Maluleka’s pass found Reneilwe Letsholonyane, who neatly finished. The referee, however, ruled Letsholonyane offside, which was probably a correct decision.

Minutes later, Pirates found the back of the net, but now the referee ruled that the goal couldn’t stand as he hadn’t as yet blown the whistle for the free-kick to be taken.

There was a lovely atmosphere at the FNB Stadium with the Vuvuzulas being blown loudly.

Then, in the 28th minute, Chiefs scored thanks to a Katsande goal. Siphiwe Tshabalala’s corner kick was headed on by Erick Mathoho, after which the ball landed in front of the Zimbabwean midfielder, who netted the 1-0.

After having scored the goal, Katsande took one long sprint to run into the arms of his coach, Steve Komphela.

The Buccaneers tried to come back early in the second half, creating a few good opportunities, but Khune was always alert, making some superb saves.

However, there was little the Chiefs goalkeeper could do to keep Thamsanqa Gabuza’s header from going into the goal after a long throw in from Ayanda Gcaba. The equaliser was scored in the 69th minute.

Even worse, from a Chiefs point of view, was that Khune injured himself when the goal fell, having to be stretchered off the pitch with what looked like lower calf spasm. He was replaced by Reyaad Pieterse.

Shortly thereafter, George Lebese, who had recovered from his groin injury, came on for William Twala.

Pirates continued to have slightly the upper hand, although Chiefs looked dangerous whenever having the opportunity to break.

To try to create something, coach Komphela brought on Siphelele Mthembu for Abraw, who followed up on a good first 45 minutes with a bit more quiet second.

In the end, a draw was probably a fair result.

Katsande was deservedly selected as the Man of the Match with an excellent performance.

Next up for Chiefs is an away match against Golden Arrows at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday, 2 February (kick-off is at 19:30).

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1 (Katsande 28’)

Orlando Pirates (0) 1 (Gabuza 69’)

Teams:

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune (Pieterse 71’); Gaxa, Mathoho, Gordinho, Masilela; Twala (Lebese 72’), Katsande, Letsholonyane, Tshabalala; Maluleka, Abraw (Mthembu 81’)

Orlando Pirates: Mhlongo; Matlaba, Mahamutsa, Gyimah, Gcaba; Rakhale (Masuku 83’), Ntshumayelo (Makola 63’), Sarr, Qalinge; Gabuza, Majoro (Myeni 64’)