Soweto derby kings Kaizer Chiefs succumbed to a disappointing 2-1 defeat to archrivals Orlando Pirates during their long-awaited Nedbank Cup semifinal in a sold out electrifying FNB Stadium yesterday afternoon.
The stakes were high as Pirates were on a mission to avoid a sixth successive defeat, while Amakhosi were desperate to go all the way to the final and increase their chances of ending their seven-year trophy drought.
Chiefs missed captain Keagan Dolly’s demeanour, while Edmilson Dove walked straight back into the line-up and young prodigy Samkelo Zwane had his first taste of the derby, however, unlike Mduduzi Shabalala, it ended in tears.
It was a tight affair between the two Soweto heavyweights, as expected, the game tempo was at its highest in the opening stages of the game.
The Buccaneers struck first in the 14th minute, courtesy of a Kermit Erasmus tap-in after being set up by speedy winger Monnapule Saleng, who pierced through the Amakhosi defence, moments after Christian Saile missed a golden opportunity.
Fair play to Chiefs, as they did the bulk of the playing throughout the first half after conceding, but it was not enough as they could not penetrate a stubborn Bucs defence and went into the break trailing.
Midfielder and captain on the day Yusuf Maart awakened the silent Amakhosi crowd when he came back to haunt his former side once again in the 80th minute after Solomons put him through with an exquisite pass behind the Bucs defence and made no mistake in finding the bottom corner.
It goes without saying that this was one of the few Soweto derbies that didn’t have kasiflavour, as the magnitude of the game did not allow the showboating and flair.
Defender Sandile Mthethwa shattered the hearts of Amakhosi when he scored what was the winning goal of the heated encounter in the 123rd minute of extra time.
The barren run of form, which was mostly clouded by injuries and inconsistency, will leave under-pressure Zwane with a lot to ponder about and wait until next season to have another attempt to try and return the club to its glory days.
Prior to the match, Riveiro sent a stern warning that Chiefs would be meeting a vastly different Buccaneers side that they edged past back in February, and indeed they did as his side was able to prevail against its rivals.
The Sea Robbers are now one match away from adding another trophy into their cabinet alongside the MTN8.
The Buccaneers will now await the victor between Stellenbosch FC and Sekhukhune United in the final, who will be battling it out in the second semifinal at the Danie Craven Stadium this afternoon.The history of the final of the Ke Yona Cup will be written at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria come May 27.
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