Kaizer Chiefs (0)

Orlando Pirates (1)
(Makgopa 20’)

FNB Stadium, Nasrec

Amakhosi were beaten 1-0 by Orlando Pirates in their much anticipated DStv Premiership clash at FNB stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The 179^th Soweto Derby was played in the presence of esteemed guests, including FIFA president Gianni Infantino, CAF President Patrice Motsepe, SAFA President Danny Jordaan, legendary former referee, Pierluigi Collina and Rugby World Cup winners, Makazole Mapimpi and Kurt-Lee Arendse, as well as more than 87000 fanatical, though well behaved supporters bathed in warm sunshine.

It was a match that, while relatively low on goalmouth action, had no shortage of the effort and commitment that are necessary to compete in this elite fixture.

After a tentative start by both teams, Chiefs applied some early pressure, with Keagan Dolly almost scoring from a tight angle after beating Bucs ‘keeper, Melusi Buthelezi to a long ball, and Edson Castillo, following one of his trademark late runs into the box, almost got on the end of a Yusuf Maart cross.

Pirates, however, were first to strike. In the 20^thminute, Miguel Timm played a long ball over the top and Bandile Shandu stole in behind Edmilson Dove to knock the ball across the face of goal, where Evidence Makgopa finished at the far post for what ultimately proved to be the winning goal.

Amakhosi tried to hit back straight away, and a powerful break down the right by Ranga Chivaviro saw him fire the ball across goal, only for the ball to evade Dolly’s outstretched leg by millimetres for what would have been a tap in, and a deserved equaliser.

On the rare occasions Pirates broke on the counter attack, Itumeleng Khune came to the rescue, and marshalled his defence expertly to repel any Sea Robbers attacks.

At the halftime whistle, Pirates were relieved to go into the break 1-0 ahead.

Amakhsoi came out purposefully in the second half, exemplified by Ox Mthethwa’s forceful interception on 52 minutes to put Pule Mmodi in space down the inside left channel, but the substitute couldn’t keep his shot on target.

It was the Venezuelan warrior, Edson Castillo, who came closest to levelling the scores on the hour mark, again making a run from deep to meet Dove’s raking diagonal pass with a powerful header from 12 yards out that beat Buthelezi but rebounded off the upright before being cleared to safety.

Try as they did, Amakhosi could not find the goal their play warranted. A foot here and a toe there denied them on more than one occasion, and on others more clinical finishing might have brought the reward they strove for.

Castillo headed over and Christian Saile – on for Chivaviro – shot wide late n the piece but, sadly, it was not enough to avert the loss.

The result leaves Amakhosi in seventh place on the league standings, with 14 points from their 12 games.

Their next match will be another Soweto derby, away to Moroka Swallows on 26 November, following the FIFA international break.

Line-ups:

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune © (32), Dove (2), Kwinika (4)( Frosler (39) 83’), Ditlhokwe (24), Msimango (25), Castillo (17), Maart (8), Mthethwa (5) (Zwane (37)83’), Nk Ngcobo (12) (Shabalala (42) 61’), Dolly (10) (Mmodi (13) 45’), Chivaviro (7) (Saile Basomboli (21) 61’)

Subs not used: Petersen (44); Hlanti (23), Nj Ngcobo (27), Matlou (22),

Coach: Cavin Johnson

Orlando Pirates: Buthelezi (35), Xoki (27) (Sibisi (5) 70’), Ndah (49), Monyane (2) (Shandu (26) 7’), Monare (8), Timm (4) (Ndlondlo (15) 70’ ), Hotto(7), Maswanganyi (28), Lorch (3), Erasmus (95)(Mofokeng (38) 19’), Makgopa (17) (Pule (45) 70’)

Subs not used: Ofori (31), Kimvuidi (25), Saleng(14), Lepasa (9)

Coach: Jose Riveiro