Kaizer Chiefs got the better of Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby after claiming a 1-0 victory in the Absa Premiership at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
Josef Zinnbauer’s men came into this encounter on a six-match winning run after edging Black Leopards 1-0 in their last league encounter.
Ernst Middendorp’s charges arrived off back-to-back defeats by Maritzburg United and Highlands Park in the league and Nedbank Cup.
This was the third meeting between the two sides, with Amakhosi coming out on top in the last two encounters in the league and Telkom Knockout Cup.
The game got off to a decent start with both teams trying to find their rhythm on the opening exchanges.
Lebogang Manyama had a chance to hand Chiefs the lead in the eighth minute when he found space just outside the box but the midfielder’s effort sailed over the target.
Daniel Akpeyi was called into action six minutes later when he produced a superb save to deny Gabadinho Mhango’s effort from inside the box.
Amakhosi should have taken the lead in the 18th minute but George Maluleka blazed his effort over the target.
Maluleka had another opportunity to make it 1-0 10 minutes later, but he failed to hit the target after he was played through on goal by Manyama.
Chiefs’ persistence paid off as they broke the deadlock in the 29th minute when Manyama unleashed a superb effort from distance to find the net.
Pirates nearly found the equalising goal in the 41st minute but Mhango directed his header wide of the target from close range.
Amakhosi managed to hold on to their lead over Pirates as the game went into the break.
The Glamour Boys came out with intent in the second half but were finding it hard to break down the Buccaneers’ defence.
Middendorp made his first change of the game after 57 minutes of play when Khama Billiat came on to replace Leonardo Castro.
Khama Billiat had a big chance to double his side’s lead in the 63rd minute but opted not to shoot and saw his pass blocked in the process.
Chiefs should’ve made it 2-0 in the 70th minute when Manyama picked a Eric Mathoho cross in the box but the defender steered his header wide of goal.
Akpeyi came to his side’s rescue two minutes later when he produced three superb saves in quick succession to keep Amakhosi’s lead intact.
Zinnbauer then made a double change in the 80th minute when Dlamini and Mabaso came on for Makaringe and Memela.
At the other end, Middendorp opted to bring on Parker for Manyama with three minutes left to play.
However, Chiefs held on to their one-goal lead over Pirates to claim bragging rights and all three points at the FNB Stadium.
