Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela believes Orlando Pirates’ second goal ‘killed everything’ following their 3-1 defeat in the Soweto Derby at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

The Glamour Boys’ title hopes were dented after a brace from Luvuyo Memela and a goal by Thembinkosi Lorch cancelled out Leonardo Castro’s first-half strike in the second installment of the Soweto Derby.

Komphela felt his side should’ve put the game to bed in the opening half, but he admits Pirates’ second goal changed the whole complexion of the remainder of the match.

‘If you were to sum it up in one line, you would say ‘we played, they scored,’ Komphela told SuperSport TV after the game.

‘I thought we should have buried the match in the first half. We were pressing quite well, we didn’t give them time and space to turn, because one of their strengths is that once they get turned, they flood your defensive zone.

‘In the second half, I think the second goal killed everything. An early goal for them boosted their morale and we had to reshuffle a bit. I still believe, even on the back of the goal, our players played well. It was a good game for the supporters but just a bad result for us.

‘What they did is that as soon as we lost the ball or we lost our pressing, then as soon as they get turned they see their bodies up front and you feel that energy, that’s where the difference came. The pressing was perfect in the first half but we were losing it a bit in the second half and that was the difference.’

Kaizer Chiefs will be hoping to bounce back when they welcome Stellenbocsh to the Moses Mabhida Stadium in the Nedbank Cup on 10 March, with kick-off set for 20:15.