Johannesburg – Orlando Pirates had no answers for a dominant Kaizer Chiefs which ran out comfortable 2-0 victors in the Soweto derby.
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Second half goals courtesy of Siphiwe Tshabalala in the 51st minute and Siphelele Mthembu in the 92nd minute were the difference, as the undefeated Chiefs outclassed their perennial foes and stretched their record to 11 wins in 14 matches.
With the defeat, Pirates slumped to a fifth loss in the league -- having drawn three and won five.
The Buccaneers have had an indifferent season where their form fell off after the untimely death of captain Senzo Meyiwa.
Pirates had won only once before in four matches since their number one goalkeeper was shot dead in late October.
Tshabalala operated like a maestro in midfield as the Pirates defence could not contain his mesmerising midfield runs. The tricky winger exploited the open spaces left by the disjointed Pirates defence.
Pirates had the first sniff at goal when Sifiso Myeni beat Siboniso Gaxa with a nifty dummy in the sixth minute, only to miscue his shot wide of the target.
The game came to life in the second half after the pep-talks from the coaches at the interval.
Chiefs came out strongly, with the intention to outplay their arch-rivals with a hard running style of play.
Chiefs opened the scoring after superb tandem play between Bernard Parker and Tshabalala, who drilled an inch-perfect cross to open the scoring minutes after the break.
Pirates defender Rooi Mahamutsa and Happy Jele were exposed with little protection from the midfield against the lacerating opposition formation.
In the 65th minute, Reneilwe Letsholonyane with only a tap-in to make, inadvertently rammed the ball into the crossbar.
A minute later Mandla Masango delivered a splendid through-ball to Tshabalala, who whipped the ball wide of an outstretched Brighton Mhlongo between the posts.
In stoppage time, Mthembu sealed the win, finding the back of the net with the assist coming from George Lebese.– Sapa
Source :iol.co.za
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