Orlando Pirates edged out Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in the Soweto Derby on Saturday to maintain their perfect recent form. The victory at FNB Stadium, secured by Tshepang Moremi's 55th-minute winner, lifts the Buccaneers to second in the Premier Soccer League, just one point behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns with 22 points from eight games. Their record of seven wins and a draw from those eight matches is the foundation of their title challenge, and they are currently on a five-game winning run.
Yanela Mbuthuma opened the scoring for the hosts midway through the first half, his deflected effort beating goalkeeper Brandon Petersen. The lead was short-lived as Pule Mmodi capitalised on a handling error by Pirates keeper Sipho Chaine to level the scores for Amakhosi.
Moremi makes the difference
Moremi restored Pirates' advantage ten minutes after the restart, finishing a move created by Thapelo Mokobodi for his fourth goal of the season. The forward, who is the team's top scorer with four goals in six appearances, has now scored in his last two appearances, underlining his importance to a side that has scored 19 goals while conceding only once in the league this campaign, giving them a formidable goal difference of plus 18. This win over Chiefs followed a 3-0 victory against Milford FC last Tuesday, where Moremi scored twice.
Chiefs' hopes of a late comeback were dashed when defender Inacio Miguel received a second yellow card in stoppage time. The visitors had earlier seen Reeve Frosler booked for a foul inside the opening ten minutes.
Orlando Pirates dominated possession with 53% and created the clearer chances, registering an expected goals (xG) figure of 1.99 to their rivals' 1.7.
With the derby secured, attention turns to maintaining their league position. Their next home game is against Royal AM on November 8.
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has admitted his own tactical decisions put his team under pressure in their 2-1 Soweto Derby win. "I think coach Ouaddou put his team in trouble in the first half," he said. Ouaddou stated he had to make tactical adjustments and change players at half-time to stabilise the game. The win, secured by Tshepang Moremi's 55th-minute goal, keeps the Buccaneers second in the league with 22 points from eight games, one point behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz criticised the officiating in his side's 2-1 defeat. "We've seen that it's offside and maybe there was a red card as well," he told reporters. Da Cruz also cited his young team's lack of experience in the final 20 minutes. The result keeps Orlando Pirates second in the Premier Soccer League with 22 points from eight games, one point behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
The club confirmed the 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs took Orlando Pirates to the top of the Premier Soccer League standings, pending other weekend results. The Buccaneers have now won seven consecutive league matches. Their league record stands at seven wins and a draw from eight games, with 19 goals scored and only one conceded.
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou credited his team's second-half resilience for the 2-1 Soweto Derby win. "We have seen the real face of Pirates in the second half," Ouaddou said. The coach added the victory was a birthday gift, as he turned 48 on 1 November. The win contributed to the team's current league standing of 2nd with 25 points from nine games, one point behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Former Orlando Pirates winger Lebohang Mokoena has highlighted Thapelo Mokobodi's confidence ahead of the derby. Mokoena said, "He’s going into this Derby with high confidence." The club sits 2nd in the Premier Soccer League with 25 points from nine games. Mokobodi provided two assists in the 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs on October 31.
