Co-coach Cedric Kaze admitted Kaizer Chiefs were below par after suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat to arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the latest edition of the Soweto Derby. The Buccaneers made the perfect start, breaking the deadlock through Tshepang Moremi inside the opening five minutes after sustained early pressure.
Amakhosi struggled to settle and went into the halftime break 2-0 down, having failed to register a single shot on target in a one-sided first half. The Buccaneers maintained control after the interval and added a third goal to cap one of their most emphatic Soweto Derby victories in recent seasons. The result leaves Amakhosi trailing the league leaders by 11 points, albeit with a game in hand.
The victory propelled Pirates to the top of the standings, three points clear of Mamelodi Sundowns. However, Sundowns have the opportunity to reclaim top spot on Sunday should they overcome third-placed Sekhukhune United.
WHAT DID CEDRIC KAZE SAY ABOUT THE DERBY THRASHING
Speaking after the match, Kaze did not hide his frustration. “I believe that the opponent deserved the win,” the Burundian told SuperSport TV. “We were nowhere near them. In the first 4 or 5 minutes, we conceded a goal on a short corner. Maybe it took a toll on how we wanted to start the game.”
He added that in the second half, they came out with “better intentions and better ideas.” “The opponents used the tricks in the first 15 minutes, every time, every minute falling down and took our energy down. And after that, the third goal, Miguel is out. We are one man down, and we don’t manage the moments.
“It’s a big disappointment, but we still have 13 games to go. We need to, to keep our heads up. It’s a very, very difficult pill to swallow. But we need to swallow it and go back to the training field and work harder.”
Chiefs now face mounting pressure to respond as the title race intensifies, while Pirates will look to build on the momentum from a statement derby victory.
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