TITO’S PANENKA SENDS CHIEFS TO THE HOSPITAL OF CHEST PAINS

Written by: Kamogelo Mogale

Orlando Pirates have grabbed first blood as they defeated arch rivals Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in their betWay premiership Soweto Derby match at the sold out packed FNB stadium on Saturday afternoon. This marked the 57th league encounter between the two sides in the PSL era, with Pirates claiming their fifteenth victory.

The two sides struggled to be efficient and clinical in front of the goal as they had trouble penetrating each other’s defence, with Amakhosi rock solid with Rushwin Dortley, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe and Inacio Miguel while the home side were also rock solid with Thabiso Sesane, Deano van Rooyen and also were boosted with the return of Nkosinathi Sibisi, who missed last week’s match Richards Bay FC due to a one match suspension.

Pule Mmodi had an early chance to put Chiefs ahead but Sipho Chaine stole the ball off his feet to deny the visitors an early lead. Both Relebohile Mofokeng and Tshegofatso Mabasa also had their fair share of chances to put The Sea Robbers in the lead, but were denied by last ditch tackle by Miguel.

The glamour boys coach Nasreddine Nabi also had an opportunity to introduce two of three of his new signings in Thabo Cele and Glody Lilepo in the second half, to try and give his side some creativity and attacking chances.

However, when it looked like the game would end without goals, Pirates received a late penalty, which Patrick Maswanganyi cheekily chipped over Bvuma to hand the Buccaneers the important three points to decrease the gap between them and Sundowns to three points.

‘Cocomelon football’, which we’ve come to love and appreciate from the likes of Relebohile Mofokeng, dried up in this game as the youngsters rarely came to the party – including Mohau Nkota, 20, who was substituted at halftime.

Bucs didn’t only earn the country’s bragging rights, but have also won their fourth victory in their last six meetings with Chiefs.