Maela, Pule fire Pirates past Chiefs in Soweto Derby

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Oct 27, 2018. 18:00

Two goals in three first-half minutes guided Orlando Pirates to a 2-1 win over fierce rivals Kaizer Chiefs at a packed FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday afternoon.

Khama Billiat opened the scoring for the Amakhosi, but goals from Inncocent Maela and Vincent Pule secured all three points for the Buccaneers who duly extended their unbeaten league run in the Soweto Derby to eight matches.

Following a lively start, Billiat found the back of the net for his first Derby goal in the 15th minute. Siyabonga Mpontshane parried a cross straight into Billiat who had the easiest of finishes to give the visitors an early lead.

Pirates had a chance to pull level following a foul on Augustine Mulenga by Siyabonga Ngezana in the 28th minute. Justin Shonga duly stepped up to the spot, but Itumeleng Khune denied the Buccaneers striker.

This, though, failed to deter Pirates who levelled matters moments later through Maela. The left-back rose highest from a corner-kick before powering home an unstoppable header past Khune.

Pirates hit the front in the 32nd minute following a weaving move with Zambian duo Shonga and Mulenga heavily involved to leave Pule with a tap in, and he made no mistake from close range, to send the Buccaneers fans into ecstasy.

The quick-fire turnaround had Chiefs on the ropes, but the Glamour Boys held on as Pirates headed for the tunnel at the break with their tails up.

Chiefs improved following the interval and Leonardo Castro should've done better two minutes into the second-half after being played through on goal, but the Colombian could only succeed in guiding a tame effort straight at Mpontshane.

Pirates had their chances at the other end of the pitch with Shonga failing to convert a gilt-edged chance just short of the hour mark as he failed to hit the target with the goal at his mercy.

Chiefs pushed forward in search of the equaliser in the dying stages of the clash, but Pirates held firm to ultimately claim all three points and Soweto Derby bragging rights.

Orlando Pirates (2) 2 (Maela 29' Pule 32')

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1 (Billiat 15')

Orlando Pirates: Mpontshane, Jele, Munetsi, Mobara, Maela, Mlambo (Makola 89'), Motshwari, Pule (Mako 80'), Lorch, Shonga (Mntambo 62'), Mulenga.

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune, Mphahlele, Ngezana, Booysen, Walusimbi, Katsande, Ntshangase, Zuma, Billiat (Mahlasela 78'), Castro (Moon 74'), Parker (Ekstein 64').