Kaizer Chiefs claimed bragging rights in the Soweto derby after securing a 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium in the DStv Premiership on Saturday afternoon.

There were two changes to the Buccaneers side that drew with Cape Town City as Thembinkosi Lorch and Ben Motshwari returned to the starting lineup, while Amakhosi made three changes from their win over Baroka as Bernard Parker, Lebogang Manyama and Njabulo Ngcobo were recalled to the squad.

The Buccaneers got off to a bright start in an attempt for an early lead but they struggled to break down the Amakhosi defence in the opening exchanges.

Eric Mathoho had Chiefs’ first chance after 16 minutes but the defender failed to connect with the ball after receiving a cross from Khama Billiat.

Amakhosi eventually took the lead two minutes later when Reeve Frosler unleashed a powerful strike from distance to beat Mpontshane and find the back of the net.

Pirates had a chance to level matters in the 23rd minute as Thembinkosi Lorca tried to lob Brandon Petersen after spotting the keeper off his line, but the attacker saw his effort sail over the cross.

Keagan Dolly thought he had doubled Chiefs’ lead three minutes later after finding the back of the net but he was adjudged to be offside.

Stuart Baxter was forced to make a substitution in the 39th minute when Kearyn Baccus came on to replace the injured Billiat.

Pirates thought they had levelled the score moments later when Peprah found the back of the net with a diving header, but he was flagged for offside.

Chiefs managed to hold on to their one-goal lead over Pirates as half time arrived.

Pirates came out guns blazing in the second half, levelling matters after the 54th minute when Peprah ran into a well-weighted ball from Monare to slot the ball into the back of the net.

Baxter was forced into making another substitution in the 63rd minute as the injured Leonardo Castro was replaced by Kgaogelo Sekgota.

Parker should have restored his side’s lead in the 71st minute but the veteran striker steered his header inches wide of target.

The Buccaneers made a change of their own five minutes later as Kabelo Dlamini was replaced by Linda Mntambo, who made his first league appearance for the year, before Chiefs brought on Mphahlele in place of Nange in the 79th minute.

Chiefs managed to restore their lead in the 81st minute when Mathoho found the back of the net with a header from a resulting corner to make it 2-1.

Ndah should have found the equalising goal three minutes later but saw his close-range header kept out by the woodwork.

The home side had a chance to grab an equalising goal deep in stoppage time but Dzvukamanja was denied by Petersen. Amakhosi managed to hold on to their lead until the final whistle to snatch all three points away from home.