Soweto Derby: Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 Orlando Pirates – Dolly-inspired Amakhosi edge Bucs
Linda Mntambo levelled matters for Bucs, but his strike proved to be a consolation as the Glamour Boys grabbed a late winning goal
Keagan Dolly scored twice as Kaizer Chiefs secured a 2-1 win over their Soweto rivals, Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Bafana Bafana international grabbed a second-half brace which inspired Chiefs to a win as coach Stuart Baxter celebrated his 100th PSL game in charge of Amakhosi by guiding the team to his 59th league victory.
Sibusiso Mabiliso made his first competitive start for Chiefs replacing the injured Sifiso Hlanti in the starting line-up with Baxter making one change to the team which faced and lost 1-0 to Stellenbosch FC on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Thabang Monare, Ntsako Makhubela, and Kwame Peprah were recalled to the Pirates starting line-up by the club’s co-interim coaches Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids, who had masterminded a 2-1 win over Sekhukhune United in midweek.
Pirates had the vast majority of possession in the opening stages with Chiefs sitting deep and looking to exploit spaces on the counter which saw Phathutshedzo Nange fire the game’s first shot on target and goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane made a comfortable save.
Fortune Makaringe, who was seeing a lot of the ball in Amakhosi’s half, combined well with Deon Hotto down the left, before playing a cross that brushed the top of the crossbar on its way out for a goal kick with keeper Daniel Akpeyi rooted to the ground.
Having been at fault when Chiefs conceded against Stellenbosch, Cardoso made a mistake as he gave away possession in his own half, but he was rescued by his defensive partner Erick Mathoho, who bravely blocked Peprah’s goal-bound shot.
Amakhosi were denied a clear penalty when Thulani Hlatshwayo blocked Njabulo Ngcobo’s shot with his hand inside the box, but match referee Victor Hlungwane ignored the incident and waved play on much to the dismay of the hosts’ bench.
Bucs continued to control the match and they should have broken the deadlock when an unmarked Makaringe connected with Makhubela’s quality cross, but he placed his header narrowly wide of the target and the score was 0-0 at half-time.
Pirates continued to see most of the ball after the restart with Peprah’s low shot going inches wide of the target, before Hotto’s looping effort was well-saved by Akpeyi as the Buccaneers pushed for the opening goal.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 49th minute as Amakhosi scored against the run of play after Hlatshwayo’s poor back pass was intercepted by Khama Billiat and he quickly set up Keagan Dolly, who fired past Mpontshane to hand Chiefs a 1-0 lead.
The Pirates technical team reacted by introducing Kabelo Dlamini on the hour-mark with the 25-year-old winger having netted Bucs’ winning goal against Sekhukhune and Baxter responded by refreshing his midfield as he brought on Anthony Akumu.
It was end-to-end stuff in the closing stages of the game as Billiat’s shot was cleared off the goal line by Hlatshwayo and Pirates leveled matters at the other end as Terrence Dzvukamanja’s header was parried into Mntambo’s path by Akpeyi and the Pirates attacker netted to make it 1-1 in the 87th minute.
However, the hosts were awarded a penalty in stoppage time after Olisa Ndah was adjudged to have fouled Billiat in the box and Dolly beat Mpontshane from the spot-kick to hand Chiefs a 2-1 victory on the day – completing his brace in the process.
The victory elevated Chiefs to the fifth spot on the league standings and they will face Maritzburg United on November 21, while Pirates, who are scheduled to take on Lamontville Golden Arrows on November 20, slipped down to the seventh spot.
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