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.
