Orlando Pirates rallied from behind to defeat arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs 3-2 in the Soweto Derby at a sold out FNB Stadium.
DStv Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 3-2 Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 09 March 2024
Venue: FNB Stadium
Chiefs made three changes from the win over Golden Arrows, as they brought back Ashley Du Preez, Edson Castillo and Mduduzi Mdantsane. Pirates, on the other hand, recalled Monnapule Saleng, Miguel Timm and Thabiso Lebitso, as three changes from the draw against Cape Town Spurs.
Amakhosi had a perfect start after Du Preez gave them the lead within the first six minutes with a left footed strike in the box towards the top corner after he was teed up by Pule Mmodi.
The game opened up as the Buccaneers started to pressurize the Glamour Boys and Saleng eventually levelled matters on 24 minutes with a left footed shot on the edge of the box after Chiefs gave away the ball trying to play out from the back.
Jose Riveiro's charges had the momentum after that, as they forced Amakhosi to back-pedal deep in their own half but they could not create clear opportunities.
Chiefs managed to get out of their own half in the latter phase of the first stanza and Du Preez restored their lead on the stroke of halftime after he fired home a volley at the near post after some good work by Mmodi and Mdantsane.
Pirates were fired up after the break and after pressurizing Amakhosi, Lebitso finally equalised shortly after the hour-mark with a sensational strike from range that found the top corner.
Johnson looked for a different approach on 65 minutes with a triple change as he introduced Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Wandile Duba and Dillan Solomons.
However, the Glamour Boys were caught disorganized from a throw in moments later after Saleng gave the Sea Robbers the lead and also grabbed his brace with a lobbed shot over goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma.
Chiefs were desperate to get momentum in the closing stages and Castillo had a chance in the dying minutes with a header in the box that was smothered by goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
However, the Glamour Boys struggled to combine and nearly conceded the fourth goal from a counter-attack in stoppage time after Bvuma denied Relebohile Mofokeng in added time.
Pirates completed a league double over Chiefs for the first time since 2008.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 27. Xoki, 49. Ndah, 7. Hotto, 16. Makhaula, 4. Timm, 37. Lebitso, 14. Saleng, 38. Mofokeng, 28. Maswanganyi, 19. Mabasa
Subs: 31. Ofori, 41. Mbatha, 23. Maela, 21. Kapinga, 18. Dlamini, 2. Monyane, 5. Sibisi, 21. Marou, 25. Kimvuidi.
Kaizer Chiefs: 44. Bvuma, 23. Hlanti, 25. Msimango, 24. Kwinika, 39. Frosler, 6. Maart, 17. Castillo, 3. Mdantsane, 13. Mmodi, 21. Saile, 9. Du Preez
Subs: 1. Petersen, 19. Mashiane, 27. Nj. Ngcobo, 18. Solomons, 5. Mthethwa, 12. Nk. Ngcobo, 14. Gonzalez, 36. Duba, 28. Vilakazi
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