Kaizer Chiefs completed a double over Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates this season with their 1-0 DStv Premiership win at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Substitute Olisa Ndah scored an own goal towards the end of the match to hand Amakhosi a vital three points and bragging rights.
Pirates were dealt a major blow as captain Innocent Maela was shown a straight red card following a challenge on Christian Saile Basomboli.
Until that point, it was a tight affair as both teams were solid and well-organised at the back. The victory saw Chiefs climb up to third in the log standings with 34 points, while Pirates are fifth with 31.
PIRATES DOMINATING POSSESSION
Pirates dominated play in the opening minutes, as Vincent Pule and Thembinkosi Lorch had a good exchange on the right side. However, Pule’s attempt didn’t trouble Brandon Petersen.
Moments later, the Bucs were on the attack, but Terrence Dzvukamanja’s shot was blocked by the defence.
Chiefs’ first chance came in the 11th minute as Ashley Du Preez broke out, but his ball didn’t reach the intended target. 20 minutes into the match, Christian Saile Basomboli had an opportunity to break the deadlock, only for his header to go wide.
Du Preez missed a golden chance to open the scoring in the 25th minute after Chiefs unleashed another counterattack. At the half-hour mark, Basomboli had another chance but couldn’t direct his header towards the bar.
Lorch fired a shot just outside the box, but Petersen was alert and tipped it over the bar for a corner kick. Sipho Chaine made a crucial save just before the break to block Keagan Dolly from connecting with a pass in the box.
10 minutes into the second half, Dzvukamanja had a golden opportunity to score from close range, but his shot was off target. Towards the hour mark, the Sea Robbers thought they had won a penalty after Monnapule Saleng was brought down in the penalty box.
MAELA RED CARD
Pirates skipper Innocent Maela was shown a red card in the 60th minute after he brought down Basomboli, who was making a run toward the goal.
For the remainder of the match, Pirates were under pressure as Chiefs threw everything in attack to get a goal. However, the Happy People were solid after Olisa Ndah was introduced to replace Lorch.
Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana was also introduced in the 75th minute as Chiefs were in desperate need of a goal. Du Preez missed another chance with five minutes left to play, as his shot went off target.
Substitute Olisa Ndah was unlucky as he scored an own goal in the dying minutes of the match as Chiefs completed a double over their rivals. Edmilson Dove had flighted a cross into the box, which the Nigerian directed past his goalkeeper.
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