In a thrilling Soweto Derby on Saturday afternoon, Kaizer Chiefs emerged victorious with a 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates. The Buccaneers had the better start, forcing Amakhosi to defend deep, but they could not make their pressure count. Chiefs got into the game midway through the first half, with Ashley Du Preez having a good chance on 26 minutes, but his shot was brilliantly saved by Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine. Pirates had their own chances, with Thembinkosi Lorch having a dipping shot from outside the box that was tipped over the crossbar by Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen. Tempers flared up just before the half-time whistle, as Keagan Dolly and Miguel Timm needed to be separated.
Full time score: (Ndah o.g 89’) Kaizer Chiefs 1 : 0 Orlando Pirates
DStv Man of the Match: Edmilson Dove Amakhosi4Life DStvPrem UnityInAction SowetoDerby pic.twitter.com/nLyODuuKLO
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) February 25, 2023
The Buccaneers were forceful after the break, putting Chiefs under pressure, but they were caught on a swift counter-attack on the hour-mark and reduced to ten men after Innocent Maela was given a straight red card for bringing down Christian Saile Basomboli, who was going clear on goal on the edge of the box. Pirates sacrificed Lorch in a tactical and defensive change after that, as they brought on Olisa Ndah to plug the gap left by Maela.
Chiefs had the challenge of breaking down a low block by the Buccaneers and Arthur Zwane eventually made a tactical change with 15 minutes to go as Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana replaced Siyethemba Sithebe. With the game on the balance, Chiefs finally broke the deadlock two minutes before time after Ndah scored an own goal by heading the ball over the advancing Chaine in the box after a long-ball from Edmilson Dove. The Sea Robbers tried to reply late on but goalkeeper Brandon Petersen was alert in goal to help Chiefs defend their win, which is their fifth in a row against their arch-rivals.
