Kaizer Chiefs took the honours in the Soweto Derby with a 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates in a DStv Premiership clash played at the Orlando stadium on Saturday.
Reeve Frosler gave Amakhosi the lead in the first half with a thunderous strike but Kwame Peprah equalised for the Buccaneers after the interval only for Eric Mathoho to win the game with a header late on.
The win moves Chiefs three points ahead of Pirates into second place in the league standings, but still a mammoth 16 points behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
After a rather cagey opening between the rivals, Amakhosi took the lead in the 18th minute when, after a patient build-up, Bernard Parker teed up Frosler who unleashed a spectacular right-footed strike from outside the box.
An absolute stunner! 🤯
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) March 5, 2022
Reeve Frosler’s first #SowetoDerby goal is a thing of beauty 🔥
Amakhosi lead at Orlando Stadium.
📺 Stream the #DStvPrem live: https://t.co/0BMWdeEYT3 pic.twitter.com/ypeCXfVtJz
Pirates goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane did get a hand to the effort but could only see the ball thunder into the back of the net.
Pirates almost immediately found the equaliser when Ghanaian forward Peprah got on the end of a Thembinkosi Lorch but steered his effort just wide.
Chiefs suffered a setback just before the halftime break when Khama Billiat was forced to leave the field with an injury to be replaced by Kearyn Baccus.
The Buccaneers came out with more attacking verve after the interval and were rewarded in the 54th minute when Peprah tapped in Thabang Monare’s low cross after a swift counter-attack.
The game was there for the taking for either side but few chances came as Keagan Dolly had Mpontshane scrambling to make a save after a cross-cum-shot.
Milestone!❤️✌️
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) March 5, 2022
Congratulations to Captain Bernard Parker for playing in his 30th official Soweto Derby #Amakhosi4Life #DStvPrem #RightToRuleSoweto #SowetoDerby pic.twitter.com/180XcGTlKI
The winner came with nine minutes remaining when Mathoho attacked the near-post from a Dolly corner and powered a header into the back of the net.
Pirates threw everything forward in the closing stages and came close to walking away with a share of the spoils.
Defender Olisa Ndah saw his header hit the post while Chiefs ‘keeper Brandon Peterson produced a stunning save deep into stoppage time to deny substitute Terrence Dzvukamanja.
In the end though Amakhosi clung for maximum points and made it a league double over their fierce rivals his campaign and claim the bragging rights.
