Posted in Match Report, News, Team News on Mar 09, 2024.
Orlando Pirates (1) 3
(Saleng 24’, 68’, Lebitso 57’)
Kaizer Chiefs (2) 2
(Du Preez 6’, 44’)
FNB stadium, Nasrec
Amakhosi fell to a heart-wrenching 3-2 defeat to Orlando Pirates in a drama-filled DStv Premiership clash at a packed FNB stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The crowd of almost 87000, which included the State President, were entertained from the opening whistle in a match that ebbed and flowed in the tradition of Derbies of the past.
Amakhosi led 2-1 at the halfway point, courtesy of a couple of excellent Ashley Du Preez finishes, but were overhauled in the second half via goals from Tapelo Lebitso and Monnapule Saleng, to add to his first half equaliser.
After kick off of the 180th Soweto Derby had been delayed for 25 minutes to allow smooth entry into the stadium, Amakhosi began the match with an intensity that had the hosts on the back foot from the off and their energy and determination was rewarded as early as the 6th minute when Yusuf Maart slipped the ball behind the Pirates defence, which was caught flatfooted and Du Preez raced onto the pass and hit a thunderous shot past Sipho Chaine to give Chiefs the lead.
The Buccaneers were stunned by the ferocity of Amakhosi’s commitment to the task and it took them some time to regain their composure. Gradually they worked their way back into the match and levelled the scores in the 24th minute through Monnapule Saleng, after Zitha Kwinika was caught in possession by Tshegofatso Mabasa, who set up Saleng for a left-footed shot from the edge of the box that beat Bruce Bvuma.
Amakhosi withstood some sustained Pirates attacking but remained compact and resolute to deny their opponents the space to exploit any threat, and proved to be lethal in transition with a lightning break a couple of minutes before half time when Maart won the ball and found Mdu Mdantsane who in turn fed Pule Mmodi. The winger calmly played the ball perfectly into the path of Du Preez into the roof of Chaine’s net and took Amakhosi into the break with a 2-1 lead.
Bucs came out looking for a leveller at the start of the second period but Chiefs were happy to contain them and were a constant threat on the break, with Du Preez’s pace a particular concern for Pirates’ rear guard.
They did manage to restore parity after 56 minutes after Don Hotto broke down the left and pulled the ball all the way back to Lebitso, well outside the box. However, the midfielder steadied himself and put his laces through the ball to send it flying past Bvuma to make it 2-2.
Saleng scored the winner in the 68th minute when he latched onto Relebohile Mofokeng’s ball over the top to poke the ball past Bvuma, as Chiefs were caught out by a quick throw from Patrick Maswanganyi.
Amakhosi threw everything into attack in search of a goal and Msimango was an inch away from getting on the end of a cross from substitute, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Edson Castillo forced Chaine into a save with a header from one of his trademark late runs. Frustratingly, the ball didn’t fall Chiefs’ way and the third goal eluded them.
The result leaves them in 6th place with 29 points from 20 matches. They face a trip to the Mother City to face Cape Town City after the FIFA international break, on Saturday, 30 March.
Line-ups:
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma (44), Hlanti (23), Kwinika (4), Msimango (25), Frosler (39) (Solomons (18) 65’), Castillo (17) (Gonzalez (14) 90+1’), Maart (8), Mdantsane (3) (Nk Ngcobo (12) 65’), Mmodi (13) (Vilakazi (28) 90+1’), Saile Basomboli (21) (Duba (36) 65’), Du Preez (9)
Subs not used: Petersen (1); Nj Ngcobo (27), Mashiane (19), Mthethwa (5)
Coach: Cavin Johnson
Orlando Pirates: Chaine (24), Xoki (27), Ndah (49) (Sibisi (5) 76’), Makhaula (16), Timm (4) (Thalente (41) 81’), Hotto (7), Lebitso (37) (Monyane (2) 86’), Mofokeng (38), Maswanganyi (28), Mabasa (19) (Marou (32) 81’), Saleng (14) (Maela (23) 86’)
Subs not used: Ofori (31), Kapinga (21), Dlamini (13), Kimvuidi (25)
Coach: Jose Riveiro
