Orlando Pirates staged a dramatic comeback to claim a 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs in a pulsating Soweto Derby at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The result not only delivered bragging rights to the Buccaneers in the first instalment of the back-to-back derbies, but also tightened the gap at the top of the Betway Premiership table.
The highly anticipated clash, regarded as the biggest fixture on the South African football calendar, lived up to expectations with a breathless start.
Chiefs took the lead just two minutes in when Glody Lilepo finished off a swift move, steering Dillan Solomons’ low cross past a helpless Sipho Chaine to ignite the home crowd.
The early goal sparked an end-to-end encounter, with both teams creating chances in a fiercely contested first half. Pirates, however, found their equaliser just before the hour mark.
Mohau Nkota unlocked the Chiefs defence with a perfectly weighted pass that split the backline, allowing Evidence Makgopa to calmly slot the ball beyond Bruce Bvuma and make it 1-1.
The parity at half-time set the stage for an intense second half, as both sides pushed for a winner. Pirates, who are chasing a strong finish in the league, eventually took control of the match in the 69th minute.
Influential attacker Relebohile Mofokeng delivered the decisive blow, capitalising on a defensive lapse to score what would ultimately be the match-winner.
The victory sees the Buccaneers move up to 49 points from 22 matches, reducing the gap to league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns to nine points, although the defending champions have games in hand. Nonetheless, the result keeps Pirates firmly in the title race with momentum on their side.
For Chiefs, the loss marks another blow in a disappointing league campaign.
Sitting in ninth place, the Amakhosi now face a race against time to secure a spot in the top eight and qualify for next season's MTN8. With only two games left, their hopes now rest on turning their fortunes around in the upcoming Nedbank Cup final.
The two sides are set to renew hostilities next week at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, where silverware will be on the line. But for now, it’s Pirates who walk away victorious, with renewed confidence and pride after another memorable Soweto Derby win.
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