A second-half strike by Willard Katsande separated Kaizer Chiefs from Orlando Pirates as Chiefs ran out as 1-0 winners in the Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
The Buccaneers looked the most likely to open the scoring after an impressive performance in the first-half, which saw them create early chances through Mpho Makola and two chances for left-back Ayanda Gcaba.
It wasn't to be for new Pirates coach Vladimir Vermezovic in only his second game in charge of Pirates with the teams locked at 0-0 at half-time.
After leaving Thabo Matlaba out of the starting eleven, Vermezovic brought on Lennox Bacela as a substitution in the 46th minute for Helder Pelembe in search of an opener.
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It was Chiefs who came out after the break looking the more dangerous team, with Reneilwe Letsholonyane rifling a shot over the bar in the 51st minute.
The Chiefs fans didn't have to wait much longer for an opening goal though, with Katsande scoring his first goal in over 50 appearances for the club.
Katsande managed to get on the end of a corner-kick from Siphiwe Tshabalala, which coasted just out of the reach of Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa.
With the game seemingly put to bed, Orlando Pirates had other ideas when they created a late chance for themselves through Rooi Mahamutsa.
Bucs won a free kick in Chiefs' half which was expertly floated in to Mahamutsa by Sifiso Myeni however the defender could not find the target from the free header.
Lehlohonolo Majoro made a substitute appearance against his former team, with boos ringing around FNB Stadium from Chiefs fans in the 81st minute.
The Orlando Pirates man looked closer to fitness than he did in his opening performance, and was clearly looking to make an impact in front of his fans.
It was too little too late for both Majoro and Vermezovic, with the game ending at 1-0 to Kaizer Chiefs, a win which moves them potentially 10 points clear of BidVest Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the log.
Orlando Pirates have now fallen to 13 points adrift of their main rivals in the race for the Absa Premiership title.
Source : ewn.co.za
Tags : Psl, chiefs, pirates,sowetro derby
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