Kaizer Chiefs walked away with bragging rights after a 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
It was a third successive win in a derby for Chiefs.
Meanwhile there was also a much-needed victory for bottom-of-the-table Baroka, who beat TS Galaxy 1-0.
Later in the day Cape Town City beat Sekhukhune United 2-1 in the Mother City, while SuperSport United were 2-0 winners over a luck-less AmaZulu.
Orlando Pirates 1-2 Kaizer Chiefs
For the 175th time, Pirates and Chiefs locked horns in South Africa’s highest-profile football fixture, with second-place in the DStv Premiership up for grabs for the victor.
It was a stunning goal to open the scoring, as Reeve Frosler fired in a powerful volley in the 18th minute after being set up by Bernard Parker. Siyabonga Mpontshane may have got a touch, but he was unable to stop the ball from hitting the back of the net.
Frosler’s strike was the first real shot at goal from either but almost immediately Pirates had a chance to equalise, Kwame Peprah going just wide.
Kabelo Dlamini’s attempt in the 22nd minute, after running onto a great long ball from Olisa Ndah, went wide of goal. Thembinkosi Lorch spotted Brandon Petersen off his line a minute later, but his attempt from the halfway line never threatened the goal.
Keagan Dolly was ruled off-side after he put the ball in the back of the net in the 27th minute, though replays suggest the officials got the call wrong.
Petersen got down comfortably to save Peprah’s attempt from just outside the area in the 35th minute, while Thabang Monare’s attempt three minutes later was deflected behind. From the resulting corner, Peprah had the ball in the back of the net, but he was off-side when he headed in.
Chiefs were forced into an early change as Khama Billiat was replaced by Kearyn Baccus, with the Zimbabwean seemingly having a hamstring strain.
At halftime, Chiefs led 1-0.
Leonardo Castro, who came on at the break, shot just over in the 49th minute, while Pirates substitute Abel Mabaso was off target in the 52nd minute.
But Pirates were level in the 54th minute, as Peprah was on hand to finish from close range from Monare’s cross. Chiefs thought the Ghanaian was off-side, however, the flag stayed down, and the goal stood.
Mpontshane saved Baccus’ long-range shot in the 58th minute. Unfortunately Chiefs were dealt another blow when Castro, who had only come on, had to go off with an injury. Dolly’s attempt in the 64th minute forced Mpontshane into another save.
Parker’s header went wide in the 71st minute, while a minute later at the other end a last ditch clearance from Phathutshedzo Nange denied Deon Hotto a chance. Two minutes later Petersen flapped away Olisa Ndah’s header.
Njabulo Blom’s deflected effort in the 80th minute went just over, but from the resulting corner Chiefs were back in front, as Erick Mathoho headed in Dolly’s ball at the near post.
Pirates were almost level in the 84th minute, as Ndah’s header hit the upright and bounced onto the crossbar, and it was cleared by Rama Mphahlele. Thembinkosi Lorch shot wide in the 88th minute.
Petersen pulled off a big save in stoppage time to deny Terrence Dzvukamanja, and Chiefs held on for the win.
SuperSport United 2-0 AmaZulu
SuperSport United took their chances as they beat AmaZulu 2-0 at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium, with SuperSport moving above Usuthu on the DStv Premiership table.
SuperSport were in front in the 34th minute, as Jesse Donn got himself on the scoresheet again, knocking the ball in after Veli Mothwa spilt a cross into the box, and Donn was the fastest to react.
AmaZulu should have been level just before the break, but first Andre De Jongh’s shot hit the upright, only for Bongi Ntuli’s follow-up strike hitting the crossbar.
AmaZulu were awarded a penalty in the 50th minute after an adjudged foul by Jamie Webber, but Ronwen Williams saved Ntuli’s spot-kick, and SuperSport remained in the lead.
With the rain pouring down, Iqraam Rayners made it 2-0 in the 54th minute, as Mothwa’s poor clearance and attempt at recovering the ball left him in no man’s land, and Rayners chipped into an empty net.
Just before full-time Thapelo Xoki was shown a second yellow card, and was sent off.
It was a game Benni McCarthy would prefer to forget, as his AmaZulu side drop down to eighth, with SuperSport now in seventh spot, ahead of Usuthu on goal difference.
Cape Town City 2-1 Sekhukhune United
Cape Town City picked up three points in the DStv Premiership as they beat Sekhukhune United 2-1 thanks to goals from Craig Martin and Khanyisa Mayo.
City were in front in just the second minute as Craig Martin tapped in after Hugo Nyame had saved Khanyisa Mayo’s initial attempt.
However Sekhukhune were level in the 19th minute, their captain Yusuf Maart getting the goal.
But just before halftime City were back in front, Mayo getting himself on the scoresheet again with a curling effort.
The victory sees City climb up to sixth spot on the table, Sekhukhune drop out of the top eight.
Baroka 1-0 TS Galaxy
The derby was not the only game played on Saturday afternoon, and at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, Baroka picked up a much needed win as they beat Galaxy 1-0.
Baroka went ahead in the 15th minute, with Sbonelo Ngubane heading in to give the league strugglers an important three points. .
