A superb long-range strike from Yusuf Maart handed Kaizer Chiefs a much-needed 1-0 win over arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in a DStv Premiership clash at a packed FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday afternoon.
Pirates took on a wounded Chiefs, who went into the derby after a disappointing MTN8 semi-final loss to AmaZulu last weekend at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
The Buccaneers dominated the first opening ten minutes but no real chances were created as Chiefs defence stood resolute.
Amakhosi came close to finding an opener when Keagan Dolly unleashed a looping shot which was fisted away by goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane to concede a corner kick.
Pirates kept on probing with good a passing game. , However they were let down by poor decision making in the final third.
José Reviero was forced to make early substitution when Paseka Mako came on for captain Innocent Maela, who looked to have sustained a hamstring injury.
The real chance of the game fell for Ashley Du Preez in the 34th minute as he made a good run in between the Pirates centre backs with only goalkeeper left to beat but couldn’t convert his chance.
The former Stellenbosch star got another opportunity to give Amakhosi the lead but he failed to finish one-on-one with the keeper while fans started running out of patience calling for him to be substituted.
The two side couldn’t be separated in the first half and went into the half time break deadlocked.
The Glamour Boys got the second half underway while Pirates made double substitutions as Zakhele Lepasa and Deon Hotto with Fortune Makaringe and Kabelo Dlamini coming onto their places.
The Ghosts made second forced change of the game when Ben Motshwari came on to replace Goodman Mosele who picked up a knock.
Chiefs put Pirates under pressure with high press and they eventually broke the deadlock through Maart who scored from half way mark after catching Mpontshane off the line.
The Naturena-based side held on to the 1-0 lead to collect the maximum points and give Arthur Zwane his first Soweto derby win as a head coach.
With the win, Amakhosi jump up to third place on the log standings, while Pirates drop down to fifth spot after 13 league games.
