A cheeky penalty from Patrick Maswanganyi late in the game saw Orlando Pirates defeat Kaizer Chiefs in the first Soweto Derby of the season.
Betway Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 01 February 2025
Venue: FNB Stadium
Chiefs were boosted by the return of Mduduzi Shabalala, alongside Njabulo Blom, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Samkelo Zwane and Ranga Chivaviro, as six changes from the win over Free Agents, while new signings Thabo Cele and Makabi Lilepo started on the bench.
Pirates, on the other hand, named the same line-up from their win over Richards Bay, apart from goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, with Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi and Mohau Nkota supporting Tshegofatso Mabasa upfront.
Amakhosi nearly had a perfect start after a mistake at the back led to Pule Mmodi going through on goal but he was denied by Chaine in a one-on-one.
With the Glamour Boys playing on counter-attacks, they nearly caught The Buccaneers again on 16 minutes after Shabalala looked to release Chivaviro but Chaine came off quickly to intercept the through ball.
With the game on the edge, Jose Riveiro's charges had a big chance seven moments before the interval after a bad clearance by shot-stopper Bruce Bvuma led to Tshegofatso Mabasa going through on goal but he dragged his wide, unmarked in the box.
Chiefs handed debuts to new Cele and Lilepo early in the second stanza, as George Matlou and Mduduzi Shabalala made way.
However, The Buccaneers had a momentum towards the hour-mark, as Mofokeng threatened, forcing a save from Bvuma.
Pirates continued to pressurize Nasreddine Nabi's men in the closing stages as Deon Hotto came close to netting the winner but his shot was thwarted by Bvuma.
The Buccaneers' pressure paid off in the last minute after they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Mofokeng in the box by Blom.
Maswanganyi made no mistake from the spot-kick for Pirates as he struck home the winner, as Riveiro's men moved three points behindleaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who are in action on Sunday.
Here's how they line up:
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 3. Van Rooyen, 36. Sesane, 5. Sibisi, 7. Hotto, 8. Makhaula, 16. Mbatha, 28. Maswanganyi, 33. Nkota, 38. Mofokeng, 19. Mabasa
Subs: 35. Buthelezi, 34. Ndlozi, 29. Mako, 27. Xoki, 26. Shandu, 18. Dlamini, 31. Rasebotja, 25. Kimvuidi, 17. Makgopa
Kaizer Chiefs: 44. Bvuma, 24. Dithlokwe, 84. Miguel, 14. Dortley, 06. Blom, 05. Mthethwa, 37. Zwane, 22. Matlou, 13. Mmodi, 42. Shabalala, 7. Chivaviro
Subs: 30. Ntwari, 25. Msimango, 48. Cross, 39. Frosler, 19. Mashiane, 8. Maart, 21. Cele, 28. Vilakazi, 99. Lilepo
