Home CAF FOOTBALL SPORTS Pirates Thump Chiefs in Thrilling Soweto Derby

Pirates Thump Chiefs in Thrilling Soweto Derby

Read
Pirates Thump Chiefs in Thrilling Soweto Derby
Pirates pip Chiefs 3-0

Orlando Pirates dominate Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 in Soweto Derby, Tshepang Moremi scores and assists.


Orlando Pirates beat Kaizer Chiefs 3-0, go top of Betway Premiership table...


Orlando Pirates thumped Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 in a pulsating Soweto Derby, with Tshepang Moremi scoring one and setting up another. Pirates dominated the match, leaving Chiefs struggling to get a foothold.


The game was one-sided, with Pirates dictating the pace and Chiefs failing to cope. Moremi's performance was key to Pirates' victory, showcasing his skill and creativity.


Pirates' win sees them go top of the Betway Premiership table again, dealing a blow to Chiefs' title hopes. It was a statement win for Pirates, who looked the more likely team to score at every point.


Early Luck for Pirates

Tshepang Moremi's early goal for Pirates had a bit of luck involved, but as they say, “you don't win if you don't play.” He shot from distance, and the ball took a wicked deflection off Flavio Silva, wrong-footing Chiefs' keeper Bruce Bvuma.

There was nothing Bvuma could do about it, rather credit Moremi’s ambition to have a shot at goal and his endeavor paid off.  




It was the earliest goal scored by Pirates in the Soweto Derby for 22 years, since the late Gift Leremi netted in the opening minute in 2004.


Appollis' Brilliance

Pirates dominated and scored a deserved second through Oswin Appollis on 39 minutes – the highlight of his season so far.


The Bafana Bafana winger was played into space in the box by Relebohile Mofokeng and he picked his spot at the far post, providing a clinical finish. Too often in the PSL we see players blast the ball from there and miss the target.


A watching Bafana coach Hugo Broos in the stands will have been delighted to see the goal, and the link-up play between Mofokeng and Appollis. That could be crucial come the 2026 World Cup.   




Penalty Pleas Fall Flat

Chiefs thought they had a penalty late in the first half when Deon Hotto stretched out a leg and Silva fell. The AmaKhosi were convinced, but no call was made.


Replays showed Hotto did not get the ball, but did he get the man? That part was perhaps inconclusive, with the suggestion that Silva went down a little too easily and tried to invite the contact.


Referee Eugene Mdluli likely got it right based on the evidence we had at our disposal. There is no Video Assistant Referee in the PSL (yet), who knows what they might have made of the incident. 


Pirates Wrap It Up

Makgopa sealed the win with a simple third goal – he headed in Moremi's cross at the far post with no defender nearby. A good moment for the striker, with Bafana coach Hugo Broos watching, though Makgopa's playing time's limited with Yanela Mbuthuma's emergence.




Title Permutations

Pirates are back top of the Betway Premiership, leading Sundowns by three points but having played a game more. They're ahead on goal difference (+21) vs Sundowns' +19.


Chiefs' Hopes Fade

Chiefs' title hopes are likely done, trailing Pirates by 11 points with one game in hand. Their promising form's taken a hit, and it's looking tough to catch up.



Chiefs' Slide Continues

Chiefs were flying high early November, but since then, they've fallen out of the title race, and out of the CAF Confederation Cup and Nedbank Cup too – progress turned sour.


Chiefs have lost four of five, including two to Stellenbosch, a Confederation Cup tie to Zamalek, and now the derby loss. Next up, they've got Richards Bay away, Durban City home, Magesi FC home, and Orbit College away – crucial games for their season and maybe the coaches' futures.

Tags :

No comments:

Leave comment here

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )
Powered by Blogger.