Although it was level pegging and goalless at the end of this big Soweto derby there was no shortage of effort and individual brilliance.

Brian Baloyi was simply in inspired form between the sticks, producing a man-of-the-match performance as if to make a statement about his omission from Jomo Sono's provisional World Cup squad.

In a major boost to Pirates, coach Jean Yves-Kerjean returned to the bench after missing the clash against Cosmos, effectively quashing rumours that the Frenchman was on his way out after a barren inaugural season with the

Buccaneers.

After having surrendered their title to Santos, Pirates were looking for a win to cement their second position on the log, and of course the financial rewards that come with it would go a long way towards compensating for a disappointing season.

Pirates saw their African dream vanquished by wily Congolese side TP Mazembe, and it is the manner in which they capitulated that would have worried many a Bucs faithful.

But they managed to lift themselves from the mediocrity of their Champions League campaign to chalk up a 1-0 victory over Cosmos, ending Ezenkosi's 13-match unbeaten run in midweek.

For Chiefs, playing on the back of a dour goalless draw against Free State Stars, this was more than just another league fixture.

In addition to being another chapter in the traditional rivalry with Pirates, Muhsin Ertugral's side needed to win to secure their place in the top eight and earn the right to defend the BP Top Eight Cup they won this season.

Comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Pirates with Lesley Manyathela plundering two goals and Benedict Vilakazi scoring the third in the return fixture just before Christmas, Chiefs were loathe to allow their bitter rivals to complete a double over them.

But for tactical reasons, Manyathela was left out of this clash, and Thabang Lebese deputized upfront along side the resurgent Pollen Ndlanya, as Pirates put out a strike force comprising two players who used to ply their trade

with the opposition.

Another player facing his old club was Chiefs' former Orlando Pirates striker Phumlani Mkhize, handed a rare start after spending most of the season on the sidelines.

Mkhize was in the think of action as early as the first minute with a cheeky back heel that sailed harmless past Okpara's goal after having been set up by striking partner Shaun Permall. And on the stroke of fulltime the striker's spectacular effort almost gave Chiefs the lead.

Pirates had a decent opportunity in the fifth minute, but midfielder Vilakazi failed to get enough purchase on his spectacular effort after latching onto Ndlanya's knockdown from Thabo Mngomeni's cross.

Brian Baloyi then made the first of his string of fine saves, denying Pirates a certain goal in the 12th minute when he saved brilliantly to deny Lebese from point blank after the midfielder had been nicely and unselfishly teed up by Steve Lekoelea.

Pirates were beginning to play better than their opponents, knocking the ball about and winning most of the midfield battles with some delightful touches.

A minute later Ndlanya had the ball in the back of the net after running into Lekoelea's pass through the middle. But the goal was ruled out for offside.

Macamo should have done better in the 28th minute after unfairly robbing Gerald Raphahlela of the ball. But with Chiefs attackers outnumbering Pirates defenders four to one, Macamo went for glory, only for his tame effort to be easily fielded by Okpara.

Lekoelea was the architect of Pirates' breakaway move in the 36th minute. The midfielder scampered away on the right before crossing for Lebese, who in turn set up Vilakazi.

But the former Under/23 skipper dithered on the ball and when he finally picked his spot, could only choke his effort,

forcing a bread and butter save from Baloyi.

Isaac Mabotsa gave away a free-kick just outside the box two minutes later and Lekoelea picked out Lebese in the box with an imaginative free-kick routine, but the former Chiefs player shot tamely straight at Baloyi.

Chiefs almost took the lead just before the break, but Mkhize looked to the heavens in disbelief after watching his shot on the turn beat a diving Okpara, before sailing narrowly past the upright.

As Chiefs looked to add a much needed dimension to their attack six minutes after the restart, they withdrew Mkhize for Zimbabwean Kelvin Mushangazhike, who was joined by compatriot Tinashe Nengomasha 15 minutes to the end after

the withdrawal of another import, Mozambican Jose Macamo.

Midway through the second half Baloyi made two excellent saves in quick succession. First parrying away Dumisa Ngobe's firmly struck long range effort and then seconds later showing sharp reflexes as he dived acrobatically to keep out Vilakazi's header.

Moments later Macamo fluffed a promising opportunity when he dragged his shot wide of Okpara' right upright after a flowing move by Chiefs.

In the 74th minute, Mushangazhike sacrificed power on the altar of placement when he side-footed his effort after the ball had fortuitously fallen kindly for him off Permall's attempted control. Okpara saved the weak but well

direct effort without fuss.

Manyathela finally entered the fray five minutes to the end and his first touch was almost a telling one.

The striker floated an inch-perfect cross for Ndlanya, whose header was destined for goal until Baloyi intervened with a brilliant fingertip save as the game petered out to a draw.

The result sees Chiefs staying in eighth position having played their full quota of matches, but only two points clear of ninth placed sided Wits University, who have a game in hand.

Teams:

Orlando Pirates: Okpara, Raphahlela, Mabizela, Jackson, Ngobe, Vilakazi, Mngomeni, Lewis, Lekoelea (Manyathela, 85), Ndlanya, Lebese

Kaizer Chiefs: Baloyi Nzama, Thobejane, Mabotsa, Mthembu, Mooki, Pule, Fredericks, Macamo (Nengomashe, 75) Mkhize (Mushangazhike, 51), Permall (Sibeko 83)

Referee: Simon Motau