Saturday Feb 29, 2020. 17:52
Kaizer Chiefs edged out Orlando Pirates 1-0 in an Absa Premiership match at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
As a result, Amakhosi extended their lead to seven points at the top of the league standings, while Bucs remained third on the log.
The Buccaneers started the match brightly launching attacks – trying to unsettle the visitors by getting an early goal.
However, Daniel Akpeyi was in top form in the Amakhosi goal-posts in the opening 20 minutes of the encounter.
The Nigeria international pulled off a great save to deny Frank Mhango, before keeping out Mthokozisi Dube’s low effort.
Chiefs grew in confidence as the match progressed and they managed to break the deadlock through Lebogang Manyama.
The Bafana Bafana attacker hit the back of the net with a powerful low shot make it 1-0 to Chiefs on the half-hour mark.
Pirates then pressed their Soweto rivals and the league’s top goalscorer Mhango missed the target with a header just before half-time.
Chiefs were leading 1-0 at the interval thanks to Manyama’s well-taken goal.
Pirates did most of the attacking after the restart and they had a chance to restore parity after the visitors’ defence was exposed.
However, Thembinkosi Lorch, who was sent through on goal, failed to control the ball well and ultimately, Akpeyi snatched the ball away from him.
Akpeyi continued to frustrate Pirates as he made a triple save denying Lorch, Luvuyo Memela and Vincent Pule as pressure mounted on Chiefs.
The former Chippa United keeper then produced another great save to deny Pirates defender Ntsikelelo Nyauza from close range.
The visitors then contained Pirates and ultimately, Chiefs emerged 1-0 winners thanks to Akpeyi’s goalkeeping heroics.
Pirates (0) 0
Chiefs (1) 1 (Manyama 30′)
Pirates: Sandilands, Jele, Nyauza, Maela, Dube (Malo 71), Motshwari, Makaringe (Dlamini 81′), Pule, Lorch, Memela (Mabasa 81′), Mhango.
Chiefs: Akpeyi, Moleko, Frosler, Mathoho, Cardoso, Katsande (Akumu 75′), Maluleka, Baccus, Manyama (Parker 87′), Castro (Billiat 58′), Nurkovic.
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