Monda | October 3, 2022

The age-old rivalry between Orlando Pirates Football Club (FC) and Kaiser Chiefs FC produced just one goal after so much hype around it.

Fighting it out at a full to capacity FNB Stadium, Chiefs stole Pirates’ thunder and bagged (3) maximum points against all expectations on Saturday in Johannesburg.

The Buccaneers fired the first salvo with two chances at close range but didn’t find the back of the net. On the other hand, Ashley du Preez had a one-on-one with Pirates shot-stopper Siyabonga Mpontshane on two occasions in the first but failed to convert.

The Amakhosi goal came in the second half when Ndayithethwa Ndlondlo lost possession of the ball and Yusuf Maart saw the Pirates goalkeeper way off the goal line and lobbed it just behind the halfway or center line roughly 60 meters away. Mpontshane, who was outside of his goalline area when Pirates were in offence, tried to backpedal but the flight of the ball was too high and the velocity left him scrambling in the net.

The Chiefs gold-clad fans broke into delirium with unconfined joy. The Buccaneers summoned the courage to fight back but a goal eluded them. The euphoria that comes from winning the Soweto derby will stay with Amakhosi as long as it lasts. 

And, certainly, it will elevate coach Arthur Zwane’s, even if for a short period. For their own part, Orlando Pirates will have to wait for their turn to avenge and, José Riveiro, their Spanish coach who was coaching in this derby for the very first time, said the derby was a dull game.

Relying more on the reputation of derbies, Riveiro was, perhaps, expecting more from this encounter. That there was only an ought goal may give credence to his assertion too.

All in all, this weekend’ fixtures will see the teams return to the pitch in two month time. The DStv Premiership is breaking for the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) World Cup in Qatar which kicks off on Nov. 20. The league will resume on Dec. 30, 2022.

Sunday | Oct. 30 DStv Premiership Results:

TS Galaxy FC 1-1 Sekhukhune United FC 

Chippa United 3-3 Richards Bay FC

AmaZulu FC 1-0 Stellenbosch FC

Saturday | Oct. 29 DStv Premiership Results:

Marumo Gallants FC 1-1 Cape Town City FC 

Royal AM 0-3 Mamelodi Sundowns FC

Friday | Oct. 28 DStv Premiership Results:

Maritzburg United FC 0-2 Golden Arrows FC