Attacker Monnapule Saleng scored a scintillating brace as Orlando Pirates clinched a dramatic 3-2 win over Kaizer Chiefs in an action-packed Soweto derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Attacker Ashley du Preez opened the scoring for Chiefs as early as the 6th minute as Cavin Johnson’s side got off to the perfect start.
The Buccaneers hit back in the 24th minute through talisman Monnapule Saleng who scored his first with a powerful low drive into the bottom corner past a hapless Bruce Bvuma.
Pirates had a claim for a penalty in the 37th minute with the referee waving away the Buccaneers’ shouts with replays showing Tshegofatso Mabasa to have gone down easily under a challenge by Edson Castillo.
The electric Du Preez put Chiefs ahead again after finishing off a sweeping attacking move involving Yusuf Maart, Mduduzi Mdantsane and Pule Mmodi before Du Preez hit a powerful shot into the roof of the Pirates net.
Pirates started the second half the better of the two sides with greater ball possession in search of an equaliser.
Despite some excellent combination play by the Buccaneers, a defensively organised Chiefs were hardly troubled in the early stages of the second half.
Right-back Thabiso Lebitso then scored an absolute thunderbolt in the 57th minute in his first start for the club as his perfectly placed effort rifled into the top corner as it rocked the post to level matters.
Incredibly, Pirates then took the lead as Saleng lobbed an onrushing Bvuma in the area to grab a brace after combining excellently with Patrick Maswanganyi in the 68th minute.
Despite end-to-end action with Chiefs in search of a late equaliser, Pirates held onto the win.
The result means that Pirates have clinched a first DStv Premiership league double over Chiefs since 2008 and for the second time ever in the PSL.
☠️ FT || @OrlandoPirates 3 - 2 @KaizerChiefs
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) March 9, 2024
🥅 24', 68' Saleng
🥅 57' Lebitso
⚫️⚪️🔴⭐️ #Matchday #DStvPrem#SowetoDerby#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/Wn7yKTSust
