Orlando Pirates walked away with bragging rights after claiming a 1-0 victory over Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Buccaneers were forced into making a substitution as early as the seventh minute after Thabiso Monyane picked up a knee injury and was subsequently replaced by Bandile Shandu.

Itumeleng Khune was called into action in the 13th minute when he made a comfortable save to deal with Miguel Timm’s strike from outside the box.

Amakhosi should have broken the deadlock four minutes later but Edson Castillo headed his effort wide of goal after latching on to a Yusuf Maart cross.

The visitors were forced into making another change in the 20th minute after Kermit Erasmus made way for Relebohile Mofokeng after picking up an injury.

Pirates eventually took the lead moments later through Evidence Makgopa, who tapped the ball in at the back post after getting on the end of a pass from Shandu.

Mofokeng should have doubled his side’s lead but Khune did well to parry the ball over the crossbar.

Pirates held on to their lead as the game went into the half time 1-0 in favour of the Buccaneers.

Castillo should have levelled matters in the second half but the midfielder’s header crashed off the woodwork before headers another effort over the bar in the 79th minute.

Pirates had a chance to double his side’s lead in the 82nd minute but Maswanganyi saw his shot saved by Khune.

The Buccaneers should have put the game to bed with a minute to play but Pule could not get on the end of Ndlondlo’s long ball.

Pirates held on to their lead until the final whistle to walk away with the win and bragging rights in the Soweto derby.

Photo by Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix