Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates played to a 1-1 draw in their Premiership match at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Photo from video
South Africa’s biggest derby has not always lived up to the hype in recent years, but this was a game which did not disappoint – the capacity crowd of over 90 000 people were treated to a wonderful spectacle of end-to-end attacking football throughout the afternoon.
And while Steve Komphela’s Chiefs side, with 16 points from their last five games, had gone in as favourites against a Buccaneers team with a new coach at the helm in Kjell Jonevret and winless in nine matches, the derby, as is often the case, proved to be a great leveller and there was very little to separate the two old foes on the day.
The match got off to a blistering start and it was a fired-up Pirates side who had the first opportunities, but Dove Wome was twice denied by Itumeleng Khune.
Despite having put Chiefs under siege, Bucs found themselves a goal down in the 16th minute when Siphiwe Tshabalala released Bernard Parker down the left, who in turn provided a square ball for a simple tap-in for former Pirates winger Joseph Molangoane.
The derby was clearly bringing out the best in the Buccaneers and they deservedly levelled the score in the 33rd minute, when Thembinkosi Lorch fired in a volley from a tight angle which struck Tshepo Masilela before deflecting into the net off Khune’s leg for what went down as an own goal.
This was proving to be derby action at it’s best and the pace and intensity continued after the restart. Edmore Chirambadare went a whisker away from picking out the top corner for Chiefs, and then Willard Katsande headed wide at the back post, before Lorch sent a rising drive into the stands.
The game remained on a knife-edge as both teams pushed and probed for openings, but with little success as the two sets of defenders did their jobs.
Then with 10 minutes remaining, Amakhosi were awarded a soft penalty when Molangoane’s cross hit Ayanda Gcaba’s arm and a penalty was awarded. Willard Katsande had to wait an awful long time to take the spot kick and seemed to lose his nerve, a weak effort allowing Mhlongo to make a good, but not overly difficult save.
Erick Mathoho squandered another chance to seal victory for Chiefs when his looping header dropped inches wide of the target in added time.
But the draw was a fair result of a match which lived up to expectations and saw both sides playing their part in a thrilling encounter.
