The Soweto Derby lived up to its expectations as it produced five goals at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
While Kaizer Chiefs went to the clash as favourites after bagging a 1-0 win in their midweek match, Pirates showed great resilience to overcome the Glamour Boys.
SOWETO DERBY LOWLIGHT
One can say it was a beautiful spectacle displayed by the two South African giants in front of a sold-out 90,000-capacity venue.
However, the fans failed to make it look perfect as they didn’t arrive on time and the match was delayed by 15 minutes.
Despite reports suggesting the DStv Premiership match was delayed because of the scorching heat, the seats were still empty at the time of kick-off.
SOWETO DERBY: FIVE GOAL THRILLER
Amakhosi were the first side to draw blood but they failed to hold on to their lead and allowed the Buccaneers to find a way back.
Coached by Cavin Johnson who was looking for his maiden win since taking the coaching reins at Naturena, it wasn’t meant to be for the Westbury-born gaffer.
Ashley du Preez was a menace for the Pirates defence with his speed and opened the scoring in the 6th minute and completed his brace on the stroke of half time.
However, they were made to sweat for the maximum points when Monnapule Saleng completed a brace as Thabiso Lebitso netted a stunning free kick.
BRUCE BVUMA AND SIPHO CHAINE
The difference was mainly in how the two sides organised themselves in the deence and the goalkeeping department.
While credit goes to Bvuma for producing a number of crucial saves to deny Pirates, his defence often let him down.
Looking at the first goal, Chiesf defenders such as Sifiso Hlanti was caught napping and that gave Pirates a chance to run behind them.
On the other hand, Pirates were solid at the back and one can say the difference between the two South African keepers was the experience.
Chaine is experienced and he showed his class when he organised his defence which was manned by the cool and calm Olisa Ndah.
KAIZER CHIEFS FAN BEHAVIOUR
Understandably, the fans showed displeasure as they lost the match for the second time this season, but their behaviour leaves a lot to be desired.
A section of the Amakhosi fans were spotted throwing objects and that has to be condemned as they spoiled a beautiful spectacle.
WHAT THE COACHES SAID
Kaizer Chiefs coach Cavin Johnson:
“Were they throwing stuff on the field? Hey gents, I didn’t see. You know when you lose a game of this magnitude, and you just worry about [the result]. I didn’t see…did they throw stuff,” he stated.
“No, I didn’t, I didn’t see any guys, maybe I saw one bottle or two, but I did see police, and I don’t know who they’re protecting, me or the players.
“But ja, we want to say thank you to them for coming out. Don’t throw stones guys, it doesn’t work. But in reality, ja, we got to take the game.
“I think it would have been the same way if we had three and Pirates, had two, maybe you would have seen some stones also.
“But in saying that, I thought they saw a good game of football at the derby, I don’t know when last you’ve seen five goals in a derby.”
Orlando Pitrates coach Jose Riveiro:
“Saleng didn’t have a good half of the season for multiple reasons, we cannot discuss it in this space, in the AFCON break I think he did a very good job in the second pre-season we had, in the training matches,” Riveiro said about the ‘forgotten’ Saleng.
“He came in to play Sundowns, in Pretoria, not a bad job. And then we couldn’t have continuity with him for something simple like the flu that separated him from the group when we travelled to Polokwane.
“And then we used the game against Crystal Lake to see other options, use other players, and then Wednesday he could have been an option from the bench against Cape Town Spurs, he was ready to play but in the end, I tried something different and kept him ready to play this game the way he did it.”
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