Posted in Match Report, News on Nov 06, 2021.
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 2 (Dolly 49’, 90+2’ . pen))
Orlando Pirates (0) 1 (Mntambo 87’)
A Keagan Dolly brace helped Kaizer Chiefs defeat archrivals Orlando Pirates in a tense and energy-sapping Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium in the DStv Premiership.
Dolly’s mental telepathy with Khama Billiat again helped Amakhosi to open the scoring in the game’s 49th minute. Billiat’s intelligent layoff teed up Dolly, who finished beautifully as Chiefs capitalised on a defensive error by Pirates skipper Thulani Hlatshwayo.
After Pirates levelled the scores, Derby debutant Dolly then grabbed the winner with a last gasp injury-time penalty, after Billiat had been manhandled in the box by Bucs’ Nigerian defender Olisah Ndah.
The win sees Chiefs leapfrog Pirates on the standings, as Amakhosi now move up to fifth on the DStv Premiership standings.
While Pirates had plenty of possession, Chiefs controlled the game comfortably, though Pirates ensured a tight, nervy finish when Pirates substitute Linda Mntambo levelled with three minutes to go.
Chiefs, though, dug deep and took the points and the Soweto Derby bragging rights in South African football’s biggest showpiece.
As early as the first minute, Chiefs were in the ascendency with Njabulo Ngcobo picking out Dolly on the right with a delightful ball. Dolly in turn laid off the ball to Billiat, who went for goal but saw his effort deflected over the bar for a corner.
Dolly was reveling in the freedom he was getting down the right and in the ninth minute he picked out an onrushing Phatutshedzo Nange, whose effort at goal had accuracy and power, but it was straight at Pirates keeper Siyabonga Mpontshane, who was able to make a comfortable save.
Pirates’ best chance to this point despite came in the 15th minute, when Fortune Makaringe connected with Deon Hotto’s lay up from the left, his cross cum shot skimming the Chiefs crossbar and out to safety.
Chiefs were unfortunate not to have been given a penalty in the 32nd minute, when Ngcobo’s driven effort at goal hit the outstretched right arm of Hlatshwayo. Despite the furious protests of the Chiefs players and Amakhosi coach Stuart Baxter referee Victor Hlungwani did not feel the handball was deliberate and waved away Chiefs’ penalty appeals.
The first half ended 0-0.
Pirates conjured up the first chances of the second half almost from the kickoff, as Kwame Peprah managed to steal a march on the Chiefs defense, cutting into the Chiefs 18 yard area before firing the ball low across goal, which had Daniel Akpeyi diving at full length to turn the ball away for a corner.
Shortly thereafter Akpeyi was lunging into the air to stop a curling shot from Hotto.
Chiefs then turned the tide after a quick counter-attack in the 49th minute, as Hlatshwayo attempted to play the ball back to his keeper, but his backpass was under hit and Billiat was able to race onto the loose ball and speed down the left before cutting the ball across goal to find Dolly, who with just Pirates keeper Mpontshane to beat deftly lifted the ball over the Pirates keeper to put Chiefs 1-0 up.
Inside the final ten minutes of the game Anthony Akumu managed to set Billiat on his way to goal, who left Ndah trailing and sped towards goal, but with just Mpontshane to beat he deftly attempted to lift the ball over the keeper, but he was able to stop the ball as Hlatshwayo came back and cleared.
Chiefs conceded with just three minutes of normal time to go, after a Chiefs attack broke down when Bernard Parker’s pass to Billiat did not find the Zimbabwean international, the ball only reaching Kabelo Dlamini on the right, who curled the ball goalwards. Terrence Dzukamanja managed to head the ball from close range at Akpeyi who made the initial save, but the loose ball fell to Mntambo, who drilled it home to make the score 1-1 as three Pirates substitutes linked up for the goal.
Having denied Chiefs a penalty in the first half, referee Hlungwani did not hesitate to hand Amakhosi a penalty in referees’ optional time at the end of the game, as Ndah pulled Billiat down, throwing him clumsily to the ground after they both attacked an aerial ball.
From the spot kick Dolly coolly completed his brace, sending Mpontshane the wrong way to put Chiefs 2-1 up and seal the points for Chiefs.
Amakhosi picked up their fourth win in their last five league games against Pirates and extended their unbeaten home run against their archrivals to five games.
Number of the Game 42 – This was the 101st league game between Chiefs and Pirates and it was Amakhosi’s 42nd league win over Pirates. In the PSL era this was the 51st league clash between the teams Chiefs winning for the 15th time.
Fact of the Game – Stuart Baxter becomes the first Chiefs coach in the PSL era to go seven league games without losing against Orlando Pirates (W3 D4). This was his first home league win against Pirates in a league game. In Soweto league Derbies against Pirates and Moroka Swallows, Baxter is undefeated in 13 games (W7 D6). This was also his 100th league game in charge of Chiefs and it was his 59th win.
MVP – Chiefs faced a barrage from Pirates in the final minutes and some astute defending from a number of Chiefs players ensured that they kept them at bay. Njabulo Blom was the man of the match and he was outstanding, ably supported by Daniel Cardoso and Ngcobo.
Billiat and Dolly were highly effective in the final third and were a handful for Pirates to deal with. Dolly’s first goal was a clinical finish and his second under pressure was a cool, calm and collected one. He is the first Chiefs player to score a brace against Pirates in a league game since Knowledge Musona in a 3-1 away win for Chiefs in the 2010-11 season.
What Next – Chiefs now have the international break to contend with and will return to action with an away game in the DStv Premiership against Maritzburg United on the 21st of November. Chiefs will be buoyed by the fact that they have won three of their last four league games.
Lineups:
Chiefs: 43. D. Akpeyi, 4. D. Cardoso, 3. E. Mathoho, 26. S. Mabiliso (Frosler 90+4’), 45. N. Blom, 27. Nj Ngcobo, 24. P. Nange, 17. C. Alexander ( Agay 67’), 25. B. Parker, 10. K. Dolly (Sekgota 90+4’), 11. K. Billiat
Subs Not Used: 1. B. Petersen, 2. R. Mphahlele, 7. L. Kambole, 29. T. Dube, 12. Nk Ngcobo, 33. S. Radebe
Cautions: 24. P. Nange 67’, 11. K. Billiat 72’, 10. Dolly 90+3’, 45. Blom 90+4’
Coach: Stuart Baxter
Pirates: 40. S. Mpontshane, 14. T. Hlatshwayo, 49. O. Ndah, 44. A. Mabaso ( Dzukamanja 70’), 29. P. Mako, 16. T. Monare (Ndlovu 83’), 15. F. Makaringe, 11. D. Hotto (Shandu 70’), 28. N. Makhubela ( Dlamini 60’), 32. L. Mntambo, 46. K. Peprah ( Mabasa 70’).
Subs Not Used: 30. W. Sandilands, 45. Mngonyama, 19 B. .Sam, 12. C. Makgaka,
Cautions: 15. F. Makaringe
Co-coaches: Fadlu Davids – Mandla Ncikazi
