Orlando Pirates claimed bragging rights after beating Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 in the eighth edition of the Carling Black Label Cup at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
New signing Lazarous Kambole started up front for Amakhosi in place of Leonardo Castro, while goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands replaced the injured Brilliant Khuzwayo between the sticks for Pirates.
The game got off to a good start with Amakhosi producing the first effort at goal when Dumisani Zuma forced Sandilands into making a fine save to deny the attackers a set piece.
Bernard Parker had a decent chance to hand Chiefs the lead in the 11th minute when the ball fell to him on the edge of the area, but his well-hit volley sailed narrowly wide of goal.
However, Pirates took the lead seven minutes later when Augustine Mulenga fired the ball into an empty net after latching on to Justin Shonga’s rebounded strike.
Kambole had a great chance to level matters in the 22nd minute but the striker lacked the composure to slot the ball home.
The Buccaneers then doubled the lead on the half-hour mark when Thembinkosi Lorch curled his effort into the top corner to make it 2-0, with Bruce Bvuma well beaten.
Amakhosi had to make a substitution four minutes before the break when Ramahlwe Mphahlele was forced off the field through injury and had to be replaced by Reeve Frosler.
Pirates held on to their two-goal lead over Chiefs as the game went into the half-time break.
Both teams opted to introduce fresh legs early in the second half when Pirates brought on Fortune Makaringe to replace Lorch, while Chiefs introduced Mahlasela for Ntshangase.
Sandilands came to his side’s rescue five minutes later when he produced a superb save to keep out Khama Billiat’s strike from the edge of the area.
The Glamour Boys made their second change of the game when Castro came on to replace Kambole, while Pirates brought on Bongani Sam for Luvuyo Memela a minute later.
New signing Samir Nurkovic was given an opportunity to debut in his first Soweto derby when he replaced Zuma, while Manyama came on for Billiat in attack.
Frosler came close to reducing the deficit for Chiefs in the 70th minute when he unleashed a thunderous effort from distance but Sandilands did well to keep his shot out.
Amakhosi continued to press forward and nearly pulled a goal back three minutes later, but Castro guided his header over the target from close range.
Pirates made two changes in the space of three minutes when Mhango and Nyauza came on for Shonga and Dube, respectively.
Makaringe nearly made it 3-0 to Pirates but the midfielder fired his effort wide of the right post.
With four minutes left to play, Pirates made their final substitution when Lepasa came on to replace Mulenga.
However, Chiefs continued to push forward in search of a goal but Pirates held on to their lead until the final whistle to claim their fifth Carling Black Label Cup trophy.
