Manyama celebrates his goal for Kaizer Chiefs as they won 1-0 in yesterdays soweto derby It was a day to remember for league toppers Kaizer Chiefs as they pulled off a thrilling double over rivals Orlando Pirates in yesterdays 169th rendition of the Soweto Derby, a 48th in the PSL’s history. Among the 80 808 strong crowd this Soweto Derby was sure to be the biggest game yet as victory for Kaizer Chiefs would galvanize their title charge and put them nine points ahead of their rivals Orlando Pirates, not forgetting of course that Sundowns too would still be lurking for that top spot come the end of the season.
The opening half
The game was set for another nail biting affair as the opening stanza started with just the excitement the fans had paid to see. Kaizer Chiefs player Lebogang Manyama with the first early effort following a fine run from Castro to set things up, his effort soaring over the cross bar.
It was Pirates turn next as a great bit of goalkeeping by Nigerian show stopper Daniel Akpeyi snuffed out any real chances of an early goal for Orlando Pirates.
Akpeyi cemented his place in the squad as he replaced injured Itumeleng Khune between the sticks. Amakhosi’s number one was confrimed to be back to full fitness but not 100% ready for this weeks must win fixture.
Akpeyi to the rescue
The number 40 for Chiefs was having a scorching first half as he kept wave after wave of Pirates attack at bay. This would be the first season Itumeleng Khune has not started a derby fixture, and thankfully his replacement made no mistake given the added pressure to perform.
Things began to heat up once more between the two teams as George Maluleka was sent to the turf following a strong Mthokozisi Dube tackle, the challenge resulting in the first yellow card of the match.
Happy Jele put up a good bit of resistance against the big man Nurkovic who struggled to make any real impact in the Pirates penalty box.
It was looking to be an all Pirates affair early on as the Buccaneers dominated proceedings in the first 20 minutes with a 100% shot rate accuracy rate, Kaizer Chiefs showed little pressure on the Pirates goal at this point.
The only real Amakhosi effort came as the result of a quickly taken free kick which saw the Pirates players off guard, Maluleka with a decent effort that sailed against the side netting. It was Pirates however who continued to have a far more pressing attack of the two sides.
The opening goal
Despite the domination of Pirates within the first 30′ of the match, it was Chiefs who opened up the score sheet with a fine individual effort by Lebogang Manyama, his run seeing him slot the ball expertly passed Pirates keeper Wayne Sandilands. The goal was the first time Chiefs had hit the target in the match.
Pirates continue to pressure the Chiefs goal but looked slightly less threatening following that Manyama goal for Chiefs. A glorious opportunity was missed by the Buccaneers when a scintillating ball was sent towards the middle of the Amakhosi box, Mhango’s meeting it with his head but failing to find the right angle that would see him convert his chance in front of goal, a missed opportunity that could of leveled matters before the end of the first half.
It was that man Mhango on the hunt again just before the stroke of half-time as his dangerous run towards the Chiefs box was stop by a perfectly timed sliding challenge by defender Kgotso Moleko.
The second half
The second half started much slower than that of the first with only a handful of attempts from both sides with little worry for either keeper
It was only until the 52 minute when Pirates midfielder Thembinkosi Lorch was presented with a fantastic opportunity to level matters, his first touch letting him down as he struggled to control the ball in the box.
Lebogang Manyama continued to pile on pressure in the midfield as he won several battles for the ball, and it was now Kaiser Chiefs who looked far more confident as they upped the ante to put pressure on the pirates defense, the game opening up nicely from this point onward
Daniel Akpeyi was having the game of his life, and things could of quickly turned against the Chiefs fans as their golden man went down in the 56’ following a knock to his right knee, the Nigerian keeper was fortunately quickly back to his feet to face the pirates on coming corner.
The first change of the game went the way of kaiser Chiefs as they looked to inject further pace and energy upfront, Castro coming off for number 11 Khama Billiat.
Billiat immediately made an impact as he found himself in open possession with the ball, he unselfishly off laid the ball only for it to be intercepted by the sprinting of defender Ntsikelelo Nyauza.
A nail biting finish for Chiefs
The 72’ min was a fire affair as Akpeyi once again flexed his muscles as he rose to the challenge denying a close range effort by Lorch. The save was then followed up by another magnificent double save from a Luvuyo Memela attempt, 3 times saved by the Nigerian show stopper to help Chiefs hang onto their slender 1-0 lead. Akepyi immediately hit the turf following the action to have his wrist inspected, the delay slowing the pressure of the Pirates onslaught.
Pirates made a double substitution in the 80′ following an awarded free kick, Kabelo Dlamini and Tshegofatso Mabaso on for Luvuyo Memela and Fortune Makaringe. Pirates looking to put on pressure in hopes of finding a much needed equaliser.
Pirates pile on the pressure
It was Pirates in the last 10 minutes who continued to rack up corner after corner, but the Buccaneers made little impact, Kaizer Chiefs fans hanging on nervously as they looked to claim the double over their neighborhood foes.
Daniel Akpeyi was under immense pressure in the final 5 minutes of the game as he denied the current footballer of the season Lorch from point blank ranch
Bernard Parker came on for the final 3’ min of normal time. Delays had resulted in 6’ of extra time, a sign of relief for Pirates, dismay for Chiefs.
A frantic finish followed, a subsequent penalty appeal by pirates was snuffed out for hand ball by the referee, it was that man Daniel Akpeyi’s day as the hero continued to keep Pirates at bay to the very end
Chiefs claiming an emphatic 1-0 victory of Orlando Pirates, and in the process claiming the double.