Orlando Pirates secured the bragging rights in the first Soweto Derby after defeating Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 at a sold out FNB Stadium.
DStv Premiership
Result: Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 Orlando Pirates
Date: 11 November 2023
Venue: FNB Stadium
Chiefs made two changes from their win over Cape Town Spurs, as Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Zitha Kwinika were brought in.
Pirates, meanwhile, recalled Kermit Erasmus, Tapelo Xoki and Miguel Timm as three changes following their win over Sekhukhune United.
In a nervy start from both sides, the Buccaneers were interrupted by two injuries in the first 18 minutes, as Thabiso Monyane and Erasmus both had to be replaced by Bandile Shandu and Relebohile Mofokeng.
However, the Buccaneers went ahead soon after that as Evidence Makgopa scored into a gaping net from close-range at the back post after a cross by Shandu.
Cavin Johnson's charges took their time on the ball, knocking it around but they were not reaching the last third and were almost punished ten minutes before the break after Mofokeng unleashed a powerful shot that was parried over the crossbar by goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.
Pirates dropped in their own half in numbers towards the end of the first stanza and defended their lead to the halftime break.
The Glamour Boys struggled to raise the tempo of their game coming from the break and Johnson made a double change on the hour-mark to inject energy in attack as Christian Saile and Mduduzi Shabalala both came on for Ranga Chivaviro and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo.
Amakhosi started to play with urgency after that as Edson Castillo came close to equalising five minutes later with powerful header that came off the post.
Jose Riveiro's men defended in numbers and were a threat on counter-attacks and Patrick Maswanganyi had a chance to kill off the game ten minutes before time with a strike in the box that was brilliantly saved by Khune.
Chiefs pressurized the Buccaneers in the dying minutes and Saile had a chance at the back post but fired his shot over the crossbar, as the Buccaneers held on and ended a five-game losing streak.
Here's how they lined up:
Kaizer Chiefs: 32. Khune, 24. Kwinika, 26. Ditlhokwe, 25. Msimango, 2. Dove, 8. Maart, 17. Castillo, 5. Mthethwa, 12. Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, 10. Dolly, 7. Chivaviro
Subs: 44. Bvuma, 13. Hlanti, 39. Frosler, 26. Njabulo Ngcobo, 37. Zwane, 22. Matlou, 13. Mmodi, 21. Saile, 42. Shabalala
Orlando Pirates: 35. Buthelezi, 2. Monyane, 49. Ndah, 27. Xoki, 7. Hotto, 8. Monare, 4. Timm, 28. Maswanganyi, 3. Lorch, 95. Erasmus, 17. Makgopa.
Subs: 31. Ofori, 45. Pule, 38. Mofokeng, 26. Shandu, 25. Kimvuidi, 15. Ndlondlo,14. Saleng, 25. Lepasa, 5. Sibisi
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