Kaizer Chiefs returned to winning ways by beating their arch-rivals Orlando Pirates 1-0 in the Soweto Derby at a packed FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The win extended their lead at the top of the ABSA Premiership table to seven points over second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns.
Match Highlights#Amakhosi4Life #WozaNazo #SowetoDerby #KaizerChiefs50 pic.twitter.com/c4qTXn5yuT
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) February 29, 2020
☠ FT || @orlandopirates 0 – 1 @KaizerChiefs
The Bucs had a better showing in the 2nd half, with plenty of possession & chances, but it’s KC who leave with maximum points, Akpeyi being the difference for the visitors.
⚫⚪?⭐#SowetoDerby#AbsaPrem #Matchday#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/c1kysSYELJ— Orlando Pirates FC (@orlandopirates) February 29, 2020
The match was the third between two sides this season with Chiefs having won their Telkom knockout match in penalties and the league encounter 3-2 in 2019.
As expected, Pirates, who had prior to that dominated encounters between the two sides, took the game to Chiefs. They had two scoring chances early on with keeper, Daniel Akpeyi, equal to the task on both occasions.
It was Chiefs who drew first blood. Pirates’ style of building from the back backfired when right-back, Mthokozisi Dube, was dispossessed.
Striker Samir Nurkovic passed the ball to an unmarked Lebogang Manyama. The 29-year old beat keeper, Wayne Sandilands, from the edge of the penalty box to put the Amakhosi in the lead.
Pirates had a chance to equalise minutes before the break after Thembinkosi Lorch had whipped the ball into the box. However, Gabadinho Mhango missed the target with only Akpeyi to beat.
After going to the break leading 1-0, Chiefs didn’t take their foot off the pedal. They came close to doubling their lead moments into the second half with Sandilands beating Nurkovic to a high ball.
The match opened up with both teams attacking and Chiefs had another chance to extend their lead. However, defender Ntsikelelo Nyauza thwarted the move with a well-timed tackle.
With time running out, Pirates turned on the screws and should have equalised, but Akpeyi would have none of that denying them on three occasions. It was just not Pirates’ day with the team twice coming close to equalising with Akpeyi pulling yet another save to deny Mhango a goal.
The solitary goal won Chiefs the match with coach Josef Zinnbauer tasting his first defeat in the ABSA Premiership since joining Pirates in December.
Congratulations to Absa Man of the Match: Daniel Akpeyi?
Lions’ Den Protector!#Amakhosi4Life #WozaNazo #SowetoDerby #KaizerChiefs50 pic.twitter.com/2G4GfbwZGV
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) February 29, 2020
