Amakhosi slip up, Buccaneers let rip

It seems the buck often stops with Platinum Stars for Kaizer Chiefs after their 15-game unbeaten run came to an abrupt end at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium last night.

Siphelele Mthembu and Robert Ng'ambi scored in either half to make it 2-0 and slow down the Absa Premiership log leaders ahead of the Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates on Saturday.

Bucs will surely go into their encounter against Amakhosi at FNB Stadium on Saturday buoyed by their hard-earned 1-0 win over Moroka Swallows in the original Soweto derby, at Dobsonville Stadium, last night.

Chiefs had not been beaten since November 23, incidentally by the same team in the Telkom Knockout semifinal at FNB Stadium.

Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande gave away possession as early as the ninth minute and Ng'ambi set up striker Mthembu to put one past Reyaad Pieterse, who has been filling in for the injured Itumeleng Khune, the Chiefs skipper.

Ng'ambi would then score on the hour-mark when his chest connected with Lindokuhle Mbatha's timely cross to add to Dikwena's tally and send Chiefs' coach Stuart Baxter into panic mode.

Baxter brought on strikers Knowledge Musona, Kingston Nkhatha and Matthew Rusike in place of Katlego Mphela, Morgan Gould and George Lebese.

Chiefs were also missing their top scorer Bernard Parker. Stars held on to their lead, ensuring that with 10 Premier League matches remaining, Amakhosi only have a six-point lead .

• At Dobsonville Stadium, Marc Strydom writes that Pirates earned a big result - 1-0 - in new coach Vladimir Vermezovic's first match.

Kermit Erasmus's early strike was enough to secure Pirates victory. Bucs moved into fourth place, and even their faint title hopes received a boost as they closed the gap from leaders Chiefs to 10 points, with a game in hand.

Pirates came out pushing hard for an early goal, with Thabo Matlaba providing attacking impetus from left back.

Matlaba's clever pass from the left touchline in the fifth minute found Erasmus, who timed his run and crashed a shot onto the crossbar with his left boot.

Four minutes later another pass across field from Matlaba found Segolela, who passed back inside to Erasmus on the edge of the area.

This time the forward's shot across goal beat goalie Greg Etafia and found the back of the net.

New striker Lehlohonolo Majoro made his first appearance, coming on for Tlou Segolela in the 68th minute, and the new Bucs forward soon danced past a few Birds defenders to tee up Pelembe for a deflected shot.

Swallows should have snuck a draw as Siyabonga Nomvethe turned Nkosinathi Ogle's cross onto the upright in the 88th minute.

The veteran striker's header in injury time forced a reflex save from Bucs goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa.

• Backpage Media reports that goals from Joel Mogorosi and Frank Mhango inspired Bloemfontein Celtic to a 2-1 win over Polokwane City in an Absa Premiership clash at Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium in the Free State last night.

Moffat Mdluli scored the visitors' goal. They also had defender Tlou Molekwane sent off midway through the second half.

Celtic threatened to score an early goal through Lerato Lamola but he saw his fifth minute shot well saved by City keeper Modiri Marumo.

• Mpumalanga Black Aces added to Golden Arrows' woes when they beat them 2-1 at Harry Gwala Stadium, Pietermaritzburg, last night.