Both teams released 43 white doves before kick-off in memory of those who died at Ellis Park on April 11. But once the game started there was no sign of spirit of goodwill between the two sides. Chiefs on the offensive and Pirates on the defensive.

Pirates employed five defenders and looked like a side only at the stadium for one point. But it was the Bucanneers supporters who stayed behind after the game celebrating the sweet victory against their rivals.

Manyathela put Pirates in the lead after 22 minutes as he connected to a through ball from Vilakazi. Baloyi came off his line to clear but only made a half clearance and Manyathela powered the ball into the net. Three minutes later the Buccaneers paid Baloyi another visit but this time Manyathela only fired wide.

The first Chiefs visit to the Pirates area with Fredericks laying the ball to Sithole but his shot in the fourth minute did not pose much threat to Okpara as the hosts prolonged their stay in the Pirates area. Raphahlela got into the referee’s book for a boots and all tackle on Fredericks on the ninth minute.

When the ultra-defensive Buccaneers tried to venture out they only got as far as Mabedi. Pirates did find their way to Baloyi through a 17th minute corner from Brandon Silent but the Chiefs snapped up the ball in the air.

Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral make an early substitution with striker Kenny Niemach coming on for defender Marco Mthembu to beef up the attack. New-signing David Kannemeyer, who was deployed in midfield, was moved back to his usual place in defence.

Six minutes before the final break Chiefs came close with a corner from Zwane as Sithole failed to control with his head.

Pirates back on the offensive two minutes before the break with Vilakazi laying a great ball to Philane Kubheka and Baloyi could not make a clean save and captured the ball on his second attempt.

Ertugral tried in vain to convince the public that the absence of midfield wizard Jabu Pule, due to suspension, would not have negative effects on Amakhosi but the opposite appeared to be the truth.

Niemach’s header missed target on 52 minutes with a cross from Kannemeyer.

Amakhosi supporters were becoming restless and on 58 minutes started demanding for changes to be made on their side. Phumlani Mkhize had been warming up for some time and was brought on in the 61st minute for Mooki but the supporters were very happy about that replacement.

The Buccaneers, meanwhile were in exhilarating mood when Steve Lekoelea was brought on for Philani Kubheka in the 63rd minute. Lekoelea was in action five minutes after his arrival on the field as he laid a cross to Vilakazi but the nippy midfielder could not find target.

The referee missed a terrible tackle on Fredericks by Warren Lewis in the 65th minute and the former national under-23 star left the field on a stretcher with an ice bag on his tummy. His way back and his place taken by Gerald Sibeko in the 69th minute.

Manyathela compounded Amakhosi’s troubles in the 72nd minute with a through ball from Lekoelea ans Baloyi had very little chance to save if any. Patrick Mabedi’s effort was in vain as the ball rolled into the net.

The game was halted for three minutes after the goal as irate Amakhosi supporters started throwing plastic bottles on the field.

Pirates brought on Innocent Chikoya in place of defender Mbulelo Mabizela, who was played as a striker, in the 77th minute.

Chiefs fell apart as Pirates tightened the grip on their lead with a superb goal by Vilakazi in the 83rd minute with second half substitute Chikoya laying the cross.

Pirates rounded off their substitutions with Joseph Makhanya coming on for Vilakazi in the 86th minute.

Teams:

Chiefs: Baloyi, Mabedi, Goldstone, Nzama, Mthembu, Mbuthu, Mooki, Fredericks, Zwane, Kannemeyer, Sithole.

Subs: Fernandez, Permall, Mabotsa, Sibeko, Mkhize, Niemach, Mathebula.

Pirates: Okpara, Raphahlela, Luc Zoa, Mabizela, Lewis, Silent, Khomane, Vilakazi, Manyathela, Jackson, Kubheka.

Subs: Radebe, Lekoelea, Lebese, Ngobe, Makhanya, Chikoya, Ramokadi.

Referee: Daniel Bennet.