Orlando Pirates beat Kaizer Chiefs to win first Soweto Derby of the season

Orlando Pirates secured local bragging rights with a 2-1 victory over Kaizer Chiefs in the first Soweto Derby of the Betway Premiership season on Saturday afternoon.

Yanela Mbuthuma put the Buccaneers ahead in the 24th minute before Pule Mmodi equalised six minutes later. Tshepang Moremi restored Pirates’ advantage nine minutes into the second half, and Chiefs were unable to find another response.

The result ended Kaizer Chiefs’ unbeaten start to the league campaign, while Orlando Pirates followed up their 3-0 Carling Knockout win over Milford FC with another victory against their city rivals. Chiefs had also entered the derby with confidence after beating TS Galaxy 3-0 in the same competition during the week.

Chiefs threatened first when Wandile Duba beat the offside trap and ran onto a pass from Mduduzi Shabalala. He was released inside the area, but Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine came off his line to make a brave stop.

Pirates then took advantage of the Amakhosi’s high defensive line. A ball over the top found Mbuthuma on the right side of the area, and he fired into the far corner despite pressure from Thabo Moloisane.

Chiefs levelled on the half-hour mark. Mfundo Vilakazi’s low, curling effort from a wide position caused difficulties for Chaine, allowing Mmodi to react quickly and stab the ball into the net.

The equaliser lifted Chiefs, who almost completed the turnaround before the interval. Duba met a free-kick with a header inside the area, but his attempt drifted wide.

Pirates made one change at half-time, sending on the hard-running Ghampani Lungu for Nkosikhona Ndaba. Chiefs kept the same side.

The hosts regained the lead when Thapelo Mokobodi timed his run beyond the offside line and delivered a cutback for Moremi, who finished into an unguarded net.

Pirates continued to press for a third. Mbuthuma had a chance after receiving a through ball from Simphiwe Masilela, but he failed to make proper contact with his shot.

Moremi went close to extending the lead when he moved towards the near side of the area, cut in along the byline and saw his effort glance off the top of the crossbar. The Bafana Bafana international threatened again inside the final five minutes, cutting in from the left before drilling his shot wide of the far post.

Chiefs were reduced to 10 men in the first minute of added time when Inacio Miguel received a second booking for clipping Lungu.

Kaizer Chiefs next face Siwelele FC at home, followed by away matches against Chippa United and Milford FC, then home games against TS Galaxy and Marumo Gallants.

Orlando Pirates’ next five fixtures are at home to Sekhukhune United, away to Simba SC, and home matches against Golden Arrows and Stellenbosch before travelling to Richards Bay.