Football
Nick Said, Special to ESPN 5y

Orlando Pirates claim Soweto Derby honours with come-from-behind win over Kaizer Chiefs

Orlando Pirates claimed Soweto Derby honours as they came from behind to defeat bitter rivals Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in their Absa Premiership clash in front of 85,000 fans at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Goals from Innocent Maela and Vincent Pule cancelled out an early opener from Khama Billiat for Chiefs, while The Buccaneers also missed a penalty through Justin Shonga.

The result extends Chiefs' winless run against Pirates to 10 games, and will add to the pressure on Amakhosi coach Giovanni Solinas, who has now won just four of his 15 games in charge this season.

Pirates move to within one point of league leaders BidVest Wits, although they have played a game more, while Chiefs stay six points back having also featured in one extra match. Buccaneers coach Micho Sredojevic keeps his unbeaten record against Chiefs with two wins and two draws in four Derby matches, while Pirates became the first side to come from a goal down to win a Derby game since they won by the same scoreline in June 1995.

Chiefs took the lead on 15 minutes after a mistake from Pirates goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane.

The latter tried to punch away a cross, but succeeded only in fisting the ball onto Billiat, who had the simplest of tap-ins into an empty net.

That goal had been part of a bright start from the Amakhosi, but Pirates seized the initiative as the half wore on.

Shonga had the chance to put them ahead from the penalty-spot after Siyabonga Ngezana fouled Augustine Mulenga in the box, but Chiefs keeper Itumeleng Khune made a fine stop low to his right.

Pirates would not be denied though, and they equalized just before the half-hour mark when Maela rose highest to head home a Shonga corner past the despairing dive of Khune.

However, Bucs kept up the pressure with a second, Shonga's brilliant reverse pass found fellow Zambian Mulenga, who crossed low across the six-yard box to provide a simple tap-in for Pule.

Chiefs had an early chance to level in the second period when Siphelele Ntshangase set up Castro, but the Colombian forward, playing his first game in six weeks after returning from injury, could only provide a weak finish.

Shonga should have made it 3-1 when he missed an open goal as Khune and Chiefs defender Rama Mphahlele went for the same ball, but it eventually squirted loose to the Zambian.

Presented with an empty net, Shonga blasted over.

Midfielder Ben Motshwari had a late chance to add a third himself, but blasted over from the edge of the box after excellent work from Mulenga.

^ Back to Top ^