Chiefs romp home to 2-0 victory over Pirates in derby

Kaizer Chiefs could not lose to Orlando Pirates twice in a day.

Earlier their Under-17s had been defeated 1-0 by Pirates in the semifinal of a junior tournament at Marks Park in Emmarentia.

Mulomowandau Mathoho (58th minute) and substitute Lewis Macha’s (95th) strikes in the Carling Black Label Cup at packed FNB Stadium earned Chiefs a 2-0 win‚ bragging rights‚ and Steve Komphela and his men some confidence ahead of the coach’s follow-up to his first trophy-less season.

Pirates‚ like the huge EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters) banner that was towed round the stadium by a helicopter repeatedly‚ were swept in the wind.

Apart from some late moments‚ Bucs were nowhere. Clearly Komphela’s side are at a more advanced stage of their preparations for the August 23 kickoff of the Premier League season.

Muhsin Ertugral has work to do. The jury is out on the new deep role Bucs’ coach has said he intends for Tendai Ndoro playing in tandem with Thamsanqa Gabuza as a centre-forward.

Ndoro – so effective running off defenders’ shoulders last season – looked lost coming back for the ball. He would be better served hunting for scraps next to the cantering Gabuza.

Chiefs were far sharper in attack‚ Bernard Parker providing telling passes and linking excellently with the forward line.

Ertugral would have realised from a patchy defence that a back four resembling last season’s – Happy Jele‚ Edwin Gyimah‚ Ayanda Gcaba and Thabo Matlaba – will benefit from the introduction of an intelligent centreback such as Abbubaker Mobara.

Chiefs probed the strongest from the start though initially rustiness showed with stray passes. There had been no chances after half an hour‚ but then William Twala got a drive close to Pirates’ goal in the 31st.

A period of pressure followed that saw Willard Katsande have the ball in the net‚ but Bucs goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo was adjudged fouled. Hendrick Ekstein could not scramble past Mhlongo.

Twala shot wide and Ekstein tested Mhlongo as Chiefs continued to push from the break.

Thamsanqa Gabuza could not connect a header with just Itumeleng Khune to beat from Thabo Rakhale’s cross in a rare half-chance for Pirates.

Parker might not have been able to get on the scoresheet. But Chiefs’ most important forward‚ a notable underachiever last season‚ would have enjoyed his touch of magic that set up his side’s deserved opener.

Parker turned just outside the area and crashed a drive onto the crossbar. Centreback Mathoho scooped in a forward’s volley from the rebound.

Chiefs now‚ and Parker particularly‚ ran rampant‚ the striker feeding in Tsepo Masilela to hit the side-netting‚ then shooting over the bar.

Khune’s save from Ndoro and Mathoho’s clearance from Bernard Morrison preserved Chiefs’ lead. Bucs had a convincing added-time penalty appeal turned down for a foul on Morisson.

But Macha nodded in Twala’s cross to make it 2-0.

TMG Digital/TMG Sport