Orlando Pirates did not only claim the bragging rights against their ferocious rivals but snatched the all-important three points after beating Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in front of a packed FNB Stadium yesterday afternoon.
The result means Pirates have leapfrogged Chiefs on the DStv Premiership log standings.
The Soweto derby is still the fixture many think it is, the biggest football event on the African continent, as the deteriorating form of both Chiefs and Pirates did not stand in the way of the calabash, FNB Stadium, from being a sold-out affair.
It did not only end there; the derby was graced by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, flanked by Caf president Patrice Motsepe and former world’s best referee, Pierluigi Collina.
In all fairness, the derby was not a “Durban July” lit event, but it did slightly live up to its expectation. The game had some aggression, a bit of flair to entertain the fans, and a goal to separate the two teams.
Chiefs coach Cavin Johnson went for a more experienced team, with veteran goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune starting in goal and recording his 28th Soweto derby appearance.
His opposite number Jose Riveiro was more intentional with his approach, as he had the trio of Kermit Erasmus, Thembinkosi Lorch and Evidence Makgopa, leading the attack.
Makgopa scored the only goal of the match in the 20th minute, after substitute Bandile Shandu set him up with a lovely cross pass from the byline.
Amakhosi tried getting back into the game to get an equaliser through midfielder Edson Castillo but lady luck was not on his side as his headed effort struck the post.
Johnson’s three second half substitutions of Mduduzi Shabalala, Christian Saile and Pule Mmodi, did not shake things up enough as Pirates showed Chiefs who the boss is.
