Durban City and Pirates share spoils in six-goal DStv Diski Challenge epic

The DStv Diski Challenge kicked off with a bang, delivering two captivating matches that set the tone for the season. In a high-octane affair, newcomers Durban City staged a dominant first-half performance against Orlando Pirates, only for the Buccaneers to mount a spirited comeback and force a 3-3 draw.

In another match, Richards Bay emerged victorious in the KZN derby, overpowering Golden Arrows with a convincing 3-1 win.

The clash between Durban City and Pirates was a tale of two halves.

Pirates initially took the lead through a composed finish from Samkelo Zikalala in the 15th minute. But what followed was a masterclass from Durban City's Lindokuhle Ncoco. The striker responded almost immediately with an equaliser just two minutes later.

He was unstoppable, adding his second goal just past the 20-minute mark and capping off a dream first half by converting a penalty for a hat-trick.

As the teams headed to the locker room, Durban City held a seemingly insurmountable 3-1 lead, leaving Pirates and their new coach Roscoe Krieling with a mountain to climb.

However, the second half belonged to the Buccaneers. Inspired by Krieling's tactical adjustments, Pirates began to claw their way back into the match.

The turning point arrived when Durban City's Odwa Nyulu received a second yellow card, earning him an early shower and giving Pirates a penalty. Moses Mphekgoan estepped up to the spot and calmly converted, breathing new life into his team and narrowing the deficit to 3-2.

Despite Durban City’s attempts to defend their lead, Pirates' relentless pressure eventually paid off. Substitute Derbyshire, coming on from the bench, found the back of the net to complete the remarkable comeback and salvage a point for the visitors.

In the earlier KZN derby, Richards Bay put on a clinic. They raced to a commanding 3-0 lead within the first half-hour of play, leaving Golden Arrows shell-shocked.

Although Arrows managed to pull one back in the 69th minute, their hopes of a comeback were short-lived as a late red card reduced them to 10 men. Richards Bay held on to their lead, clinching a well-deserved 3-1 win in the derby.