Pirates continue derby dominance

ORLANDO Pirates continued their dominance over Kaizer Chiefs in the 2020/21 season after claiming a 2-1 victory at Orlando Stadium yesterday.

Ntsikelelo Nyauza and Vincent Pule returned for the Buccaneers following their 1-1 draw against TS Galaxy, while Kearyn Baccus and Njabulo Blom were recalled for the Amakhosi.

Baccus aimed to get his side off to a positive start 12 minutes in after he volleyed a ball from outside the six-yard area over the top and smashed a low attempt wide of the near corner a little later.

Chiefs should have taken the lead five minutes later from a fumble in the centre of the area by goalkeeper Richard Ofori, but Lebogang Manyama blazed wide with the goal gaping.

Meanwhile, Samir Nurkovic also squandered a good chance.

Those missed chances didn’t go unpunished as Pirates grabbed the lead six minutes to half-time after Thembinkosi Lorch beat goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi to a ball over the top to slot into an empty net.

Gavin Hunt decided to bring in a change soon after the break, as Nkosingiphile Ngcobo stepped aside for Happy Mashiane. It seemed to pay off five minutes from resumption after Mashiane drew a foul in the area to win a penalty, but Ofori smothered Samir Nurkovic’s effort while Siyabonga Ngezana fired wide from the rebound.

Chiefs didn’t lose hope thereafter, with shots from afar by Daniel Cardoso and Manyama flying beyond target before Mashiane shaved the top-corner from a rasping shot in the area.

Pirates wrapped it up with 10 minutes to go after Paseka Mako ran down the byline to feed in Siphesihle Ndlovu for a top-drawer finish. The Amakhosi pulled one back five minutes from time through a smart header at the back-post from Cardoso, but it was too little too late as Pirates held on for the spoils. — KickOff/Sports Reporter.