Orlando Pirates go top with Soweto derby win over Kaizer Chiefs

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Orlando Pirates go top with Soweto derby win over Kaizer Chiefs
Simphiwe Masilela of Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs winger Pule Mmodi, Image - Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates claimed the Soweto derby bragging rights after a 2-1 win over old rivals Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

As expected, coach Abdeslam Ouaddou trusted some youngsters like Simphiwe Masilela and Simphiwe Selepe to do the job against Amakhosi, with some experienced players starting from the bench.

In his Soweto derby debut, coach Fernando Da Cruz went with his trusted men, led by their captain Brandon Petersen.

Chaine blunder gifts Chiefs

The hunger from the defending champions in early exchanges was evident, with Simphiwe Masilela causing all sorts of troubles earlier on. However, his attempt was off target.

Amakhosi’s first realistic chance came in the 13th minute when Mduduzi Shabalala send Wandile Duba through on goal, but the inform striker just shot straight at Sipho Chaine much to the relief of Bucs.

In the 24th minute, Amakhosi lost the ball deep in Bucs half; they were caught off position and eventually Thapelo Mokobodi found Yanela Mbuthuma who did well to score his first ever Soweto derby goal.

A blunder by Chaine – who spilled what seemed like a harmless cross by Mfundo Vilakazi, in the 30th minute, allowed Pule Mmodi to pounce on a loose ball to make it 1-1 and ensure the teams went to the break even.

Moremi wins it for the champions

Bucs started the second half brightly in search of the second goal, with Amakhosi employing a cautious approach but attacking when necessary.

The Glamour Boys were caught up high on pitch once again in the 55th minute. The move ended with Mokobodi setting up Tshepang Moremi to tap the ball into an empty net to make it 2-1.

Chiefs intensified their tempo in search of the second goal, creating several half-chances. But a massive opportunity fell to Duba in the 68th minute, but for the second time he just couldn’t beat Chaine when one-on-one.

It got worse for Amakhosi in the stoppages when Inacio Miguel was sent-off after a second bookable offence.

The 2-1 win for Pirates took them top of the table with 25 points from nine games, while Chiefs remained fifth in the log with 14.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

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Willis Sob is a sports betting expert and journalist covering Nigeria and South Africa, with 16 years of experience. With a background in journalism, reporting and programme production, he specialises in football odds, and his work has appeared on OK Africa and GOAL, as well as TV, radio and podcasts.

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