Chiefs stun Pirates in Soweto Derby

Samir Nurkovic of Kaizer Chiefs celebrates goal with teammates during the DStv Premiership 2020/21 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 21 March 2021 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

by Staff Reporter

Sunday Mar 21, 2021. 17:25

The out-of-form Kaizer Chiefs were able to stun Orlando Pirates after beating them 1-0 in a DStv Premiership match at FNB Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

A single goal from Samir Nurkovic ten minutes into the second half was enough to hand Chiefs the Soweto Derby win. The victory is only the Amakhosi’s fifth of the season and sees them up to ninth place on the table. The loss of Pirates is only their fourth of the season.

Pirates started the better of the two teams with the first effort on goal in the fifth minute, but Deon Hotto saw his powerful shot from the edge of the box saved by the Chiefs keeper.

The Amakhosi took a stranglehold of the game after that and should have taken the lead in the 20th minute when Bernard Parker found Happy Mashiane in space inside the box, but he fired straight at the keeper.

Chiefs went close again five minutes later, this time Samir Nurkovic saw his stinging shot from the edge of the box shave the wrong side of the woodwork.

Pirates created a chance for themselves on the half hour mark when Onassis Mntambo worked his way into the box, but he saw his 14-yard effort superbly saved by Daniel Akpeyi.

Neither team could break the deadlock before the break and entered half time locked at 0-0.

Ten minutes into the second half, however, and Chiefs took the lead when Nurkovic met a cross from Lazarous Kambole with superb 12-yard bicycle-kick that found the corner of the net, 1-0.

Pirates tried to get back into the game and came close to the equalizer in the 68th minute when an 18-yard shot from Fortune Makaringe whistled just past the post.

The Amakhosi should have put the game beyond doubt in the 77th minute when Mashiane played Nurkovic through on goal, but he fired wide with just the keeper to beat.

Chiefs held firm in the final ten minutes and defended stoutly as Pirates pushed forward in attack. In the end the Amakhosi were able to keep the Buccaneers at bay and picked up the victory.

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Nurkovic 54’)

Orlando Pirates (0) 0

Teams

Chiefs: Akpeyi, Ngezana, Mathoho, Cardoso, Blom, Mashiane (Zulu 83’), Parker, Ngcobo (Matsheke 76’), Frosler, Nurkovic, Kambole.

Pirates: Mpontshane, Nyauza (Makaringe 46’), Hlatshwayo, Maela, Mako, Ndlovu, Monare (Mhango 79’), Motshwari, Hotto, Pule (Mabasa 71’), Mntambo (Dlamini 46’).