Orlando Pirates claimed bragging rights in the Soweto Derby after defeating Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon, reclaiming top spot in the Betway Premiership standings.
The Buccaneers secured their seventh consecutive league victory through goals from Yanela Mbuthuma and Tshepang Moremi, both assisted by Thapelo Mokobodi, either side of Pule Mmodi’s equaliser for Amakhosi.
The result moved Pirates two points clear of Mamelodi Sundowns at the summit, although the Brazilians had an opportunity to reclaim top spot when they faced their opponents later on Saturday evening.
Chiefs, meanwhile, extended their winless run in the league to four matches and remained 11 points behind their Soweto rivals after nine rounds.
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Amakhosi started the match brightly and created the first clear opportunity in the 13th minute when Mduduzi Shabalala released Wandile Duba through on goal. However, Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine produced an important save to deny the striker.
Pirates broke the deadlock in the 24th minute when Mokobodi played a ball over the Chiefs defence for Mbuthuma. The striker’s effort from the right side of the penalty area took a deflection off Thabo Moloisane before looping over Brandon Petersen and into the net.
Chiefs responded six minutes later when Mmodi capitalised on a goalkeeping error from Chaine, who failed to deal with a low cross from Mfundo Vilakazi, allowing the midfielder to finish and restore parity.
The hosts continued to threaten before the break, with Vilakazi coming close to putting Chiefs ahead in the 43rd minute, but his deflected effort struck the top of the crossbar.
The teams went into half-time level at 1-1, with Chiefs having created several opportunities to take control of the encounter.
However, Pirates made the most of their second-half adjustments and restored their lead in the 55th minute. Mokobodi found himself through on goal but showed good awareness to square the ball for Moremi, who calmly finished from close range.
The Buccaneers pushed for a third goal, with Moremi striking the frame of the goal in the 83rd minute before substitute Oswin Appollis appeared to score after rounding Petersen. His effort was ruled out for offside, although television replays raised questions over the decision.
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Moremi subsequently missed another opportunity, while Evidence Makgopa fired over as Pirates looked to put the result beyond doubt.
Chiefs’ hopes of finding a late equaliser suffered another setback when defender Inacio Miguel received a second yellow card in stoppage time and was sent off.
Ouaddou takes responsibility for first-half struggles
Speaking after the match, Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou admitted that his tactical approach had not worked in the first half, taking responsibility rather than blaming his players.
I will not blame my players. The one we have to blame for the first half is the coach. I got it wrong. I tried to surprise the opponent, making some tactical choices that were not spot on,” he said.
Ouaddou explained that changes at half-time, including repositioning players and improving movement in midfield, helped Pirates take control of the match after the interval.
He also acknowledged that Chiefs had opportunities to put the game beyond Pirates before the break.
Kaizer Chiefs had the opportunity to kill the game in the first half. Definitely, they could have easily come with maybe 3-1 at half-time. They didn’t take this opportunity and, unfortunately, in football, when you don’t take the opportunity to kill the game, you give the opportunity to the opponent to adjust.”
The Pirates coach praised his young squad for responding to the challenge, while acknowledging the importance of the victory to the club’s supporters following their MTN8 final disappointment.
He described the derby victory as a gift to the fans, highlighting the significance of the occasion and the importance of bouncing back with a positive result.
Da Cruz questions officiating as Chiefs reflect on missed opportunities
On the opposite side, Chiefs assistant coach Fernando Da Cruz congratulated Pirates on the victory but expressed frustration with his team’s inability to convert their first-half chances.
Da Cruz felt Amakhosi should have gone into the break with a comfortable advantage, arguing that their lack of efficiency in front of goal ultimately proved costly.
In the first half, the match should have been finished. Very simple, because in the first half the match must be finished. We lacked efficiency, and we should have gone into half-time leading by two or three goals,” he said.
The Chiefs assistant coach also questioned the officiating, claiming that Mbuthuma’s opening goal should have been ruled offside and that a Pirates player deserved a second yellow card in the first half.
Da Cruz further admitted that his side struggled after the interval, becoming less dangerous as the match progressed.
He attributed some of their late difficulties to fatigue and the inexperience of the squad, which allowed Pirates to exploit spaces during attacking transitions.
Despite the defeat, Da Cruz remained encouraged by his team’s performance, particularly considering the absence of five players through injury.
We have a young team with good foundations, but we must also take the next steps, improve and learn from our mistakes,” he added.
The result gives Pirates another significant boost in their title ambitions, while Chiefs will be looking to respond when Betway Premiership action resumes later in November.
Elsewhere in the Betway Premiership on Saturday, Chippa United defeated Stellenbosch FC 2-0, AmaZulu edged Golden Arrows 1-0, while Polokwane City and TS Galaxy played to a goalless draw. Milford FC also claimed a 1-0 victory over Sekhukhune United.