Orlando Pirates claimed Soweto Derby spoils after beating Kaizer Chiefs 3-2 in their DStv Premiership encounter played at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
The Buccaneers – billed as the home team on the day – displayed impressive character after trailing at halftime, rallying back to clinch all three points, completing a league double over their biggest rivals in the process.
The sell-out crowd at the famous World Cup venue was treated to a spectacle, with the game’s first shot at goal coming just seconds from the first whistle. This was when the visitors swiftly moved into Bucs territory, where Pule Mmodi fired well wide with the game’s first shot at goal.
The breakthrough came as early as the sixth minute when Ashley Du Preez peeled off from the shoulder of the defence before blasting past Sipho Chaine to hand Amakhosi the lead.
Pirates’ attempts at drawing level yielded a few half chances initially, with Tshegofatso Mabasa and Patrick Maswanganyi both unable to get a shot away after being played in by Relebohile Mofokeng. It was back level in the 24th minute following a move sparked by Maswanganyi, who turned possession over on the right flank before linking up with Mabasa.
The Bucs striker teed up Monnapule Saleng, who needed no second invitation as his powerful left-footed shot from outside the box found the bottom corner.
The hosts continued to enjoy more go-forward ball than their opponents, but were not able to make the most of their territorial dominance throughout the opening half. They were stunned just two minutes from the break when Du Preez went through on goal before finding the back of the net to restore Chiefs’ lead with his second of the afternoon.
With their work cut out for them in the second half, the Buccaneers continued to peg the opposition back inside their own half, but without sparking any out-and-out chances. This was until the 57th minute when Thabiso Lebitso sprung up in acres of space to collect a cutback from Hotto before unleashing a stunner of a shot from range to leave the outstretched Bvuma with no chance.
The Buccaneers did not wait much longer to take the lead for the first time in the contest, as they benefitted from a quick restart after the ball went out of play inside the opposition half before a clever touch from Maswanganyi laid the ball nicely for Saleng, who chipped Bvuma to complete his brace in the 68th minute.