Cricket Rugby Soccer Sport news so fresh, its live!

February 14, 2025
Search
Football Betway Premiership Kaizer Chiefs Orlando Pirates

Pirates Beat Chiefs In The Soweto Derby In Controversial Fashion

  • February 1, 2025
  • 4 min read
  • 137 Views
Pirates Beat Chiefs In The Soweto Derby In Controversial Fashion

Orlando Pirates defeated Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in the Soweto Derby in controversial circumstances as Patrick Maswanganyi scored the last-minute penalty in front of a sold-out crowd at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Relebohile Mofokeng was tugged behind by Njabulo Blom and referee Masixole Bambiso pointed to the spot kick. Maswanganyi opted for the Panenka to chip the ball over the moving Bruce Bvuma to see Pirates win the Derby for the fourth time in a row.

The win sees Pirates keep the pace to log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns with 30 points after 12 matches, three behind the African Giants.

Pirates was seen as a heavy favorite, but Amakhosi came close to breaking the deadlock in the second minute following a lapse in concentration from the Bucs’ defense. Sipho Chaine was alert to the danger however, preventing Pule Mmodi in a one-on-one situation.

Pirates also knocked on the door 18 minutes later as playmaker Maswanganyi found Mofokeng with a defense-splitting pass, which was calmly dealt with by Miguel Inacio. Moments later Thalente Mbatha sent his shot wide with Bvuma out of position, after a Chiefs mistake at the back.

The Buccaneers threatened to open the scoring once again on the half-hour mark after Mofokeng whipped in an inviting ball into the box, which met Tshegofatso Mabasa, who couldn’t hit the target, resulting in a corner.

Mabasa squandered a golden opportunity, after Makhehleni Makhaula changed the direction of Bvuma’s clearance in the 37th minute, with the ball finding the frontman alone, but he couldn’t find the back of the net for a goalless first half.

The second half saw a change from both technical teams – with Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi withdrawing George Matlou for Thabo Cele, who was making his debut for Amakhosi. Meanwhile, Jose Riveiro introduced Kabelo Dlamini for Mohau Nkota.

Chiefs came all guns blazing with Mmodi cutting in from the left-hand side to ask Sipho Chaine, who was equal to the task some questions. Nabi’s charges continued to put pressure on the Pirates defense with a low-drilled ball in the box, but Mdu Shabalala couldn’t arrive on time.

The Sea Robbers grew into the second half as Kabelo Dlamini spotted Tshegofatso Mabasa’s run in the box in the 52nd minute but Bvuma kept him at bay. Keen to maintain momentum, the home team created another attack, however Maswanganyi found the side netting.

A quick one-two between Deon Hotto sparked another Pirates attack with the youngster’s half-volley thwarted by the Chiefs shot-stopper, while the rebound fell to Mabasa who couldn’t convert after he went down in the box, prompting penalty claims from the Bucs faithful and bench.

Newly signed Glody Makabi Lilepo was also introduced on the hour mark and was met with cheers from the Chiefs supporters as Nabi signaled intentions to attack. Thabiso Sesane rose the highest to connect with Deano Van Rooyen’s cross with his headed effort going over the bar.

In search of the decisive opener, the Spanish mentor turned to Evidence Makgopa, who came on for Mabasa in the 74th minute. Ranga Chivaviro on the other end was eager to register his name in back-to-back games but saw his low-drilled shot missing the target.

Chivaviro called Chaine into action once again moments later, with the goalkeeper able to deal with the effort. Hotto nearly snatched the maximum points in the 80th minute with a powerful shot, which resulted in a corner after Bvuma’s save.

As this game was heading to a goalless draw for the first time since October 2017, Blom tugged Mofokeng from behind, and Maswanganyi produced a Panenka by chipping the ball as Bruce Bvuma moved from his line to the right. However, the penalty looked very controversial.

About Author

Hlayisani Magoro

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *