Orlando Pirates came back from a goal down to claim a 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon and completed a league double over their fierce rivals for the second season in a row.

Following a frustrating period of two consecutive defeats to the Pyramids of Egypt in the CAF Champions League and Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership, respectively, Pirates returned to winning ways in style.

Jose Riveiro’s men narrowed the gap to runaway league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns to nine points after 22 matches with a game in hand, but it will be two, as Miguel Cardoso’s troops will be in action against Cape Town City in the mother city later on.

Glody Makabi Lilepo gave the host team an early lead in the 2nd minute, beating Sipho Chaine on the farpost after pouncing on an assist from Dillan Solomons. The home team was fired up after taking an early lead, pinning Pirates in their half for a good spell.

Mduduzi Shabalala was tackled on the edge of the box after he was released from a through ball, prompting penalty claims from the Chiefs bench, but the Referee was not interested, giving a goal kick to the visitors.

Immediately from the restart, the Buccaneers were awarded a free kick, which allowed speedy winger Mohau Nkota to surge into the Amakhosi box after some quick passing play, causing a scramble in the box for Bruce Bvuma to collect.

After a period of searching for an equalizing goal, Jose Riveiro’s men finally got the breakthrough as Nkota found Evidence Makgopa with a delightful defense-splitting pass, with the Limpopo-born striker not making a mistake from close range in the 22nd minute.

From a free kick delivered by Deon Hotto on the half hour mark, Tapelo Xoki called Bvuma into action with a glancing header, but the Chiefs shot stopper was equal to the task, paring the ball over the cross bar for a corner kick that was dealt with.

Five minutes later, Makgopa nearly doubled the Sea Robbers’ lead after leaving Zitha Kwinika for dead before looping the ball over an on-rushing Edilson Dove, to unleash a low drilled shot that went agonizingly wide off the target.

Lilepo fancied himself to get a brace on the stroke of half time, testing Chaine again with a first-time strike after captain Yusuf Maart’s cross, with the Bucs goalkeeper thwarting the danger to keep the scores level at half time.

Riveiro made a tactical change in the second half, introducing Kabelo Dlamini for Paseka Mako, a tweak that saw Hotto drop to left-back. Dlamini was set up by Relebohile Mofokeng, but fired his shot over the crossbar in the 49th minute after the youngster twisted and turned around Dove.

With the Spanish mentor changing another one of his full-backs in Shandu for Siyabonga Ndlozi, Nasreddine Nabi responded with Ashley du Preez for Gaston Sirino in the 67th minute in a bid to inject speed upfront.

Mofokeng sent Pirates supporters into a delirium when he slotted home to give Riveiro’s side the lead in the 69th minute after a quick one-two with Hotto. Nkota had a chance to add a third six minutes later as he was through on goal, but squandered the chance as he passed the ball into Bvuma’s grateful hands.

Looking to level matters, Nabi turned to Thabo Cele and Tashreeq Morris for Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Pule Mmodi in the 78th minute. Lilepo made himself a threat once again, firing one to Chaine in the 81st minute, a shot that didn’t bother the goalie.

Nkota also cut inside, and this time, when he should have passed to Mofokeng, who was waiting unmarked, decided to go for glory by skying the ball over. Mofokeng was left crushed on the floor.

The day turned worse for Chiefs as Cross was sent off as he committed the foul to block Nkota, and the referee Eugene Mdluli brandished the second yellow card to equal a red card.   

As Pirates won, coach Jose Riveiro is the first coach to win five Derbies in a row since Stuart Baxter did so in his first stint with Amakhosi. 

These two sides are not done yet this season. They are meeting yet again in the Nedbank Cup final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium next Saturday.