KAIZER Chiefs winger Pule Mmodi challenges for the ball with Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha during their Betway Premiership match, which ended with a 3-0 Buccaneers’ win at the FNB stadium.
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
KAIZER CHIEFS 0
ORLANDO PIRATES (2) (3)
Moremi 5’, Appollis 40’, Makgopa 78’
Orlando Pirates gave their beloved child, Kaizer Chiefs, some tough love, ending the month of love in style. Not only did they outdress, outsmart and outplay them in front of a sold-out crowd, they proved that Amakhosi are far behind when it comes to competing with the big boys in the title race.
Pirates embarrassed Chiefs 3–0 at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon as they climbed to the top of the Betway Premiership standings with 41 points, three ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns, who face Sekhukhune United on Sunday, and 11 ahead of Chiefs, who have a game in hand.
Pirates did not hand Chiefs their heaviest league defeat in 25 years, but they showed clear intentions of leading the title race with a well-structured and tactical performance that made up for their recent league setbacks.
Chiefs’ hopes of staying in the title race were not only dashed, but annihilated. It will take a while for them to climb back to the summit, especially with a blunt attack and a defensive structure that is starting to leak, having now conceded in five consecutive matches. This was also their third successive loss.
A rivalry birthed in Soweto 55 years ago – when Chiefs’ founders left Pirates to form the club — still carries strong ties between the two teams. But the Buccaneers have always disciplined their beloved kid whenever they cross paths.
Saturday was no different. Pirates cracked the whip on their offspring, cruising comfortably into the break 2–0 up before completing the rout at the final whistle. It marked their fifth successive league win over Chiefs.
It was an academic performance from Pirates from start to finish. They initially outclassed Amakhosi from the pitch inspection rituals, entering the fray with swagger, resplendent in dapper Adidas tracksuits, while Amakhosi looked ordinary in golfers and short pants.
Chiefs lacked bite across the board, starting without their No.1 and captain Brandon Petersen. ‘Beezer’s’ absence was laid bare from the start as Pirates surged into Chiefs’ box like a speed train without brakes, driven by the manic runs of Oswin Appollis, Kamogelo Sebelebele and Tshepang Moremi.
It was not long before the trio cut Amakhosi open. Moremi cut inside, set himself and fired a low, hard shot that took a deflection off Flávio da Silva, sending Bruce Bvuma the wrong way as the ball strolled into the net for the Buccaneers’ opener, igniting a cacophonous roar around the stadium.
Making his first appearance of the season, Bvuma endured a rude awakening. He missed what seemed a simple aerial catch, resulting in confusion that led to Inácio Miguel’s clearance effort narrowly missing the target by inches.
Just as he has done all season, coach Abdeslam Ouaddou took no prisoners. Energised by his derby debut, the towering mentor paced up and down the touchline like a father in a maternity ward awaiting the birth of his son.
His joy came in dribs and drabs. He remained in the ears of his players amid soothing cheers and applause as his troops wore their hearts on their sleeves, winning duels – particularly Sebelebele at right wing-back.
Sebelebele was enjoying himself. He combined effortlessly with Mofokeng and Appollis in tight rondos, forcing Chiefs to chase shadows. That interplay sent the Sea Robbers into cloud nine, with even the gloomy skies playing their part in creating a romantic derby setting.
Pirates went into the break with a healthier advantage after Sebelebele weaved past defenders. His eventual block fell kindly for Mofokeng, who coolly teed up Appollis with a defence-splitting pass – a gift the Bafana international accepted gleefully, slotting past Bvuma.
Chiefs attempted to inspire a comeback with half-time festivities – lighting flares and staging on-field entertainment. But Pirates were in an unforgiving mood, further unleashing their wrath on Amakhosi, the hosts’ poor rendition of the club anthem Sicel’uxolo Nothando (we ask for peace and love) notwithstanding.
Even the skies seemed to favour Pirates, opening up in the first half as if steering them on. The Buccaneers executed a professional game plan, allowing Makhehleni Makhaula to dictate the tempo while granting their attackers freedom upfront.
The lesson Pirates taught Chiefs was harsh. Cedric Kaze cut a frustrated figure on the bench, eventually losing his cap as he spent much of the second half bareheaded. Co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef attempted to maintain composure, issuing instructions, but it was to no avail.
Ouaddou threw in his final trump card – Evidence Makgopa. The striker, who received a standing ovation, repaid the faith shown in him by putting the final nail in the coffin with a close-range glancing header.
Pirates returned to the summit of the standings, with their title fate now firmly in their own hands. For all their wastefulness and frailties, Chiefs’ title hopes appear to have gone up in smoke – punished by their beloved parent.