Orlando Pirates beat Kaizer Chiefs to make it seven league wins in a row

Orlando Pirates continued their dominant start to the season by extending their winning run to seven league matches with victory over Kaizer Chiefs in the 186th Soweto derby.

The result strengthened the Buccaneers’ title defence and increased the pressure on Mamelodi Sundowns, while Chiefs slipped further behind AmaZulu and Milford FC. Kaizer Chiefs’ target is to finish at least third and qualify for the Confederation Cup.

French and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry attended the match and was introduced before kick-off. He watched an entertaining, end-to-end contest, which also included an overzealous supporter running on to the pitch during the closing stages.

Pirates were not at their best in the opening period, despite eventually controlling the match. Kaizer Chiefs created the better chances early on, but Wandile Duba and Pule Mmodi were unable to make them count.

Duba was denied inside five minutes after Mduduzi Shabalala played him through with a defence-splitting pass, with Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine alert to the danger. Referee Luxolo Badi then booked Reeve Frosler after eight minutes when he became frustrated following a duel with Mfundo Vilakazi.

There was controversy after 23 minutes when Badi allowed play to continue after Pirates forward Yanela Mbuthuma went down under pressure from a Chiefs defender inside the penalty area.

Mbuthuma soon recovered and broke into the Kaizer Chiefs box. His shot was deflected by Thabo Moloisane and looped into the unguarded net to give Pirates the lead.

Chiefs responded when Chaine spilled the ball into Mmodi’s path, allowing the forward to score from close range. Pirates restored their advantage after half-time following a quick attack from midfield, with Thapelo Mokobodi unselfishly setting up Tshepang Moremi, who has been in good form across all competitions.

Abdeslam Ouaddou had called for commitment and for his players to turn opportunities into goals in his programme notes before the match. Pirates could have won by a greater margin, but missed several chances during a dominant second-half display and lacked the decisiveness their manager had demanded.

Ouaddou combined established players including Chaine, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Deon Hotto, Thalente Mbatha, Moremi and Mbuthuma with emerging talents Lebone Seema, Nkosikhona Ndaba, Sipmphiwe Selepe, Simphiwe Masilela and Mokobodi.

Because Kamogelo Sebelebele and Bulelani Sigomoshe were unavailable, Hotto began at right-back. He offered little going forward while dealing with Paseka Mako, but moved to his usual left-back position when Gamphani Lungu replaced Ndaba at half-time, improving Pirates’ performance.

Fernando da Cruz selected an experienced Kaizer Chiefs side featuring Brandon Petersen, Moloisane, Frosler, Mako, Lebohang Maboe and Sibongiseni Mthethwa, alongside Mmodi and attackers Vilakazi, Shabalala and Duba. Duba had scored a hat-trick against TS Galaxy in the Carling Knockout Cup during the week, but Vilakazi was the standout threat and caused Frosler problems.

Pirates had won five and drawn one of the previous six league meetings with Chiefs. Their momentum will now be tested by commitments in the Champions league, Carling Knockout Cup and Nedbank Cup, as well as the responsibility of defending their league title.