Orlando Pirates retained their lead at the top of the PSL log when they fought back to a 1-1 draw against Kaizer Chiefs in a pulsating Soweto derby match before a capacity 80 000 crowd at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Emmanuel ”Scara” Ngobese came in from midfield in the opening minutes to first-time a deflection home just inside the goal area to put Chiefs up 1-0 for half-time.
Pirates controlled the midfield and played a more-direct game than Chiefs, but they lacked finishing skills for their many chances up front.
Benedict Vilikazi finally got through for Pirates with a superbly-placed equaliser in the 65th minute. He was in striking position for a sweet square pass from Lebogang Mokoena who worked for the goal down the right wing.
Amakhosi were the first to score when Ngobese beat Pirates’ goalkeeper Francis Chansa as early as the 6th minute with a rebound from fellow striker Collins Mbesuma. The ball landed on Ngobese’s calf and he made sure of his goal.
Gift Leremi had two clear chances for Pirates to equalise in the 8th and 9th minutes of the game but his shots let him down with Chiefs’ goalkeeper Rowan Fernandez well beaten.
Referee Jeremy Gamon flashed four yellow cards, two for Chiefs — Mbesuma and Tinashe Nengomasha — and two for Pirates -‒ Muwamba Musasa and Tito Onkonkwo respectively.
Pirates came back strongly in the second half capitalising on the erratic Chiefs defender Derreck Spencer who came on for the injured Cyril Nzama in the 23rd minute. It came as no surprise when Pirates and Bafana Bafana midfielder, Vilikazi, received a neat pass from fellow striker Mokoena in the box and quickly beat the advancing Fernandez at the far right corner equalising for the ”Happy People” in the 65th minute.
From this draw, Orlando Pirates still lead the log with 53 points and three games to play while Amakhosi remain in third position on 50 points and have a game in hand with four games to play.
Fans ‘ delight
The surrounding area of Crown Mines, east of Diepkloof Soweto was teaming with colourful football lovers coming from all over the nine provinces of South Africa to witness one of the biggest derbys in local football.
Inside the stadium, blaring vuvuzelas could be heard while outside the stadium car hooters were competing as if the match was a cup final with another country from Africa or the world at large.
Supporters of the ”Happy People” were clothed in their black and white attire from head down to feet to show their love and passion for their favourite club.
Amakhosi supporters, on the western side, were fully dressed in their regalia of black and gold uniforms singing and ululating with joy awaiting a celebration of wishful thinking at the end.
The history of both teams has proven that when these two big guns meet, the stake of the competition is higher than three points because they fight for pride and status more than anything else.
The understanding of both groups of supporters has improved markedly — unlike in the 70’s and 80’s which was mostly characterised by violence . Now it’s all singing, dancing and mingling through the crowds with joy until the end of the game.
Unfortunately, there has to be a winner and a loser or sometimes even a draw and die-hard supporters cry openly while others commit suicide to show loyalty and passion to their beloved club. – Sapa