tawandamusarurwa
TERRENCE DZVUKAMANJA was the only Zimbabwean to feature in the latest edition of the Soweto derby.
But, the former Ngezi Platinum striker was unable to stop Kaizer Chiefs from completing a DStv Premiership double over arch-rivals, Orlando Pirates, at FNB stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon.
Chiefs got both the points and the bragging rights, thanks to a late own goal from Olisa Ndah.
With Chiefs’ talismanic forward, Khama Billiat’s season having ended prematurely due to a groin injury for which he underwent surgery, it was left to Pirates’ Dzvukamanja as the only Zimbabwean in the derby.
Dzvukamanja played for 80 minutes before being replaced by James Monyane.
Nkosinathi Sibisi and Vincent Pule were recalled to the Buccaneers line-up, while the Amakhosi welcomed back Edmilson Dove in the heart of defence, following the loss to Golden Arrows.
Pule managed to get in the first shot in anger six minutes from the start, when he cut inside from a tight angle and brought goalkeeper, Brandon Peterson to work.
The Glamour Boys were alive after the quiet opening, and a teasing ball in from Ashley Du Preez forced Sea Robbers defender, Tapelo Xoki to drop back and clear the cross that seem destined for Mduduzi Shabalala.
Chiefs then very nearly caught the Buccaneers napping, through a move on the counter around the half-hour mark, but Pirates goalkeeper, Sipho Chaine managed to smother Du Preez.
More trouble entered the camp of the Buccaneers minutes later when an unmarked Christian Saile Basomboli snapped a wide of the mark at the far post.
Chiefs’ Brandon Petersen was eventually called upon just before the break, with the shot-stopper producing good reflexes to keep out Thembinkosi Lorch’s powerful strike from distance.
Chiefs looked to take their strong finish at the end of the opening period into the second stanza and delivered a set-play from Yusuf Maart into the area that was met by Dove, but he failed to find the target.
The Sea Robbers were dealt a blow inside 60 minutes, as captain Innocent Maela picked up red-card for a strong challenge on Saile.
Maela’s dismissal forced the Buccaneers to turn to the bench and bring on a double change in Ben Motshwari for Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo before Lorch made way for Olisa Ndah.
Pirates were on the edge over 12 minutes ahead of fulltime and watched a rasping header from Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana from a ball in stray wide.
As the minutes continued to tick, Pirates brought on former AmaZulu midfielder and January signing, Makhehlene Makhaula for his derby debut as he replaced Timm.
The Amakhosi stole all the points at the death when Ndah attempted a clearance only to find his own net and left the Buccaneers empty handed, while Chiefs completed the league double yet again over their fierce rivals. – Kickoff.com/Sports Reporter
Online Reporter