The Kaizer Chiefs reserve team lost for just the second time this season when they were beaten away from home at the Johannesburg Stadium by the Orlando Pirates Reserve team. By virtue of defeating The Amakhosi the Bucanners were able to leap frog Chiefs into first spot.

Ace Khuse and his team were looking towards strengthening their lead at the top of the table on Monday afternoon, all hopes they had were dashed when Lebogang Mokoena struck twice in the first half to give Pirates a commanding 2-0 lead at the break.

A third goal from Fikru Tefera an 83rd minute penalty was enough to hand Pirates victory in a game where a highly inexperienced Chiefs reserve team, were out done by the experienced minds of a Pirates team which featured a number of first team regulars.

Although the score line might suggest otherwise, the Chiefs reserves put up a good showing and managed to conjure up a number of opportunities starting as early as the seventh minute, when Bamose Gololo dispossessed Bongani Cashibe and ran the length of the field before laying off the ball to Stephen Faba. Faba proceeded to run at an angle into the Pirates danger Zone and took one glance goal wards before chancing his luck with a powerful driven shot, it was not Faba’s lucky day as Meyiwa threw out a hand and stopped what looked a certain goal.

Pirates were content with sitting back and waiting for Chiefs to make mistakes, with their second attack of the game they found the break through they were looking for. In the 14th minute Joseph Makhanya sent a dangerous looking ball from the right side of midfield towards the Chiefs penalty area, the ball floated over Chiefs defender Masenya and fell for Mokoena who saw Ryan Wuest rushing out of his goal post. Mokoena quickly knocked the ball over Wuest instead of falling into the net the ball knocked the post, as Wuest tried to get back Mokoena was faster and knocked the ball into the empty net.

Chiefs tried to find a way back and nearly did get themselves and equalizer, David Radebe was able to find space on the edge of the Pirates 18 yard area on 23 minutes and unleashed a powerful shot. Somehow and miraculously so Meyiwa in the Pirates goal made stretched full length across goal and palmed the ball away.

Fourteen minutes after initially taking the lead, Pirates doubled their advantage again. Makhanya was the brains behind the goal as he set Tefera with a ball that deceived the Chiefs defense, who remained static thinking that Tefera was off side. The call never came and he was able to play a ball across to Mokoena, who completed his brace by walking the ball into an empty net.

Just past the half hour mark, Makhanya had the perfect opportunity to have put his team further ahead, as he took on and beat Nqothani on the left and raced towards goal as Wuest closed down the angle Makhanya blasted the ball goal wards. Wuest had to rise off the ground and managed to push the ball over, in the process making a terrific save which brought warm applause from the crowd.

With half time approaching, Radebe spurned a glorious goal scoring opportunity, when in acres of space inside the Chiefs six yard area the Chiefs striker tried to toe poke a bouncing ball home. Instead of driving the ball home from closer range, Meyiwa again timed the ball and made a good stop on the line, to ensure that Pirates lead 2-0 at the break.

The second half took a while to heat up and in all it was played at a pedestrian pace in comparisons to the first forty five minutes. Wuest was called into action in the 52nd minute when Makhanya weaved his way into the Chiefs 18 yard area and laid off a pass to Francis Chansa who hit the ball with the instep of his boot, Wuest judged the ball well and came out to meet the ball before pushing it away to safety.

Chiefs almost found a way back in the 55th minute when Mabe missed timed a back ward header as he tried to flick the ball towards Meyiwa the ball instead fell to Radebe who wasted no time in dispatching the ball goal wards. Once more Radebe was unable to find his way onto the score sheet as Meyiwa came out and was able to clear the danger with an outstretched leg.

With seven minutes of the game remaining, Pirates made certain of the result when Tefera converted a penalty, after the home team were awarded the spot kick in some what bizarre circumstances. A tussle for the ball between Pirates substitute Moloi and Nyiko Tshabangu of Chiefs saw the Pirates man go to ground, the ball was then knocked up field by Mthimunye, the referee called back play handed out a yellow card to Mthimunye and pointed to the spot. Tefera stepped up and even though Wuest guessed the right way his kick to the right of the goalie flew into the net, to give Pirates an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Ace Khuse and his team will have to regroup ahead of their next encounter in a week’s time against BidVest Wits. With the Chiefs first team in action on Sunday afternoon, Khuse will once again have to use youth team players.

What is certain though is that Khuse’s young team will use the experience gained on Monday against Pirates to help them resurrect their title challenge.

Line Up’s:

Orlando Pirates Reserves: 29. S. Meyiwa, 31. K. Mabe, 2. M. Rashete (4. Jele 68 min), 45. T. Leshabane, 43. G.


McNab, 38. B. Cashibe, 35. I. Chansa, 21. G. Modabi,


24. J. Makhanya ( 7. Leremi 53 min), 24. F. Tefera, 23. L. Mokoena ( 47. Moloi 77 min)

Substitutes: 01. A. Phali, 4. H. Jele, 24. J. Makhanya, 47. T. Moloi

Kaizer Chiefs Reserves: 30. R. Wuest, 2. M. Masenya,


13. M. Ndwandwe (23. Tshabangu 61 min), 20. N. Mthimunye, 24. S. Nqothani,


11. S. Msomi (22. Pilusa 68 min), 17. S. Zuke 19. B. Gololo (6. Kilambe 61 min),


5. S. Faba, 10. E. Ngobese, 31. D. Radebe

Substitutes: 1. I. Khune, 23. N. Tshabangu, 22. J. Pilusa, 18. M. Miya, 3. M. Maduna,


6. R. Kilambe

Cards: Yellow, 25. Fikru Tefera 10 min (Pir), 20. Ntdizwa Mthimunye (Chi) 83 min


Officials:

Referee: Arthur Gabela


Assistant 1: Collen Phiri


Assistant 2: Chapman Skhosana


4th Official: Colman Phasha