SHARE
Orlando Pirates Reserves suffered a costly loss in DStv Diski Challenge when they fell to a 2-1 defeat to rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby played at Princess Magogo Stadium on Saturday.
The result in Durban saw the Bucs Reserves lose what was a strong grip on top spot, with the gap between themselves and the chasing pack narrowing down after dropping points with only half a dozen fixtures left to be played.
Sunday’s derby kicked into gear almost immediately after the first whistle with the two sides trading early shots at goal. Bucs midfielder Simphiwe Masilela went narrowly wide from a long distance out, seconds before a similar effort at the other end.
Hosts on the day, the Buccaneers kept pressure on their visitors and were rewarded as the match was turned on its head through the sending off of defender Kabelo Nkgwesa, who was penalised for using his hands to keep out a shot rifled into the box by Masilela.
The resultant penalty was taken by Mpho Padime, who had no issues sending goalkeeper Takalani Mazhamba the wrong way as he calmy converted to hand his side the lead with only 17 minutes played.
The numerical disadvantage did not deter Chiefs from pushing forward for a quick equaliser, with Steven Mendes drawing a save from Pirates goalkeeper Bayanda Zulu before firing wide. Fortune however smiled on the Amakhosi winger just before the half-hour mark when he collected the rebound from his own shot that rattled the upright to level matters with a right-footed effort into the net.
Having relinquished their lead, the young Buccaneers’ efforts to push their noses back in front before the break were unsuccessful as their rivals’ defence held firm despite being a man down.
They resumed their pursuit for the second goal after the restart, and it almost arrived immediately after the whistle when Oratile Rantasi’s effort from the right forced Chiefs goalkeeper Takalani Mazhamba into a save.
Pirates were however not nearly as sharp at the other end and were punished for sleepy defence following a scramble inside their penalty area, where Kamogelo Malefo was alert enough to turn the ball into the net for Chiefs’ second.
The hosts’ problems on the day were further compounded by the forced substitution of defender Tshepo Mhlambi, who had to be stretchered out following a challenge from Imad Hendricks. He was replaced by Seth Green, while Padime also made way for Thuto Sesipi.
The change in personnel was nearly followed by a Bucs goal as they found the back of the net through Rantasi, who tapped in from close range following set piece. His celebrations were however cut short by the offside flag in yet another disappointing twist in what was an increasingly frustrating afternoon for the hosts.
Another unplanned change in the 71st minute brought in striker Will Henson, who was introduced in place of injured centre-back Christian Derbyshire. The addition of extra firepower resulted in a few bright moments for Pirates, the best of which fell to Sesipi who headed wide after a pinpoint cross from the boot of Green on the right flank.
Inviting balls kept flying in from that flank, with Jabulani Mokone locating Rantasi who failed to control his effort at goal with the clock running out. This was seconds before Green delivered another cross towards Henson, who could not make the necessary connection to trouble the keeper.
A last-gasp opportunity fell to Sesipi deep in injury time when he went one-on-one with Mazhamba, who pulled off an excellent save to keep Chiefs in the lead. It summed up a luckless afternoon for the Bucs Reserves, who fell on the losing side in the Soweto Derby for the second time this season.
Pirates Reserves XI: Zulu, Mphekgoane, Derbyshire (Henson 71’), Mokone, Mhlambi (Green 57’), Mohlala, Masilela, Fetsha, Rantasi, Padime (Sesipi 57’), Zikalala (Manana 38’).
SOURCED FROM CLUB’S WEBSITE.