Patrick Maswanganyi scored an ice-cold penalty deep in injury time to hand Orlando Pirates a 1-0 triumph over Kaizer Chiefs in the Betway Premiershipās Soweto Derby.
The clash at FNB Stadium on Saturday looked set to end in a stalemate, but a late penalty for the Buccaneers ā which was converted in incredible style by Maswanganyi ā handed the team in black all three points and allowed them to cut the gap to leaders Mamelodi Sundowns to three points.
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ā SuperSport Football ā½ļø (@SSFootball) February 1, 2025
Maswanganyi seals it for Orlando Pirates at the death š¤ā½
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As for the Amakhosi, this sixth defeat in 15 league matches leaves them in fifth place, nine points adrift of their opponents, having played three games more than the top two.
Chiefs had a glorious chance to claim the lead as early as the second minute, as a mistake in the Pirates defence allowed Pule Mmodi to race through on goal, but in his desire to round Sipho Chaine he allowed the goalkeeper just enough of a sight of the ball to make a vital challenge.
The first big moment of the match is saved by Sipho Chaine š¤Æā
ā SuperSport Football ā½ļø (@SSFootball) February 1, 2025
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Piratesā first clear chance arrived midway through the first half, as Relebohile Mofokeng burst into space in the penalty area, but his attempt to cut back onto his left foot allowed Ignacio Miguel to sweep the ball clear.
On 38 minutes, Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma played a poor clearance from his own penalty area which brought about a glaring chance for Tshegofatso Mabasa, but the Pirates striker pulled his shot wide of the target.
Tshegofatso Mabasa with a massive chance š±š±
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The first half closed with the teams locked at 0-0, and Pirates made a tactical change at the start of the second, withdrawing Mohau Nkota in favour of Kabelo Dlamini.
The numbers behind the first half of the Soweto Derby š¢
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Chiefs waited a further five minutes before making their first change, as George Matlou made way for debutant Thabo Cele.
The Buccaneers had two sights of goal in the minutes leading up to the hour-mark, with both Mabasa and Mofokeng drawing sharp saves out of Bvuma, while the Amakhosi went close on 76 minutes when Ranga Chivaviro had a turn and shot which flashed just over the angle of post and crossbar.
Another massive save from Bvuma to deny Pirates the opener š¤š§¤
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Pirates began taking more risks in the dying minutes, with Deon Hotto drawing a fine save from Bvuma with a low shot, and the subsequent corner kick brought a glancing header from Makhehlene Makhaula which skipped just wide of the far post.
The match looked set to end 0-0, but deep in injury time Mokokeng sprinted into the box and had his shirt tugged at by Njabulo Blom, before squirming a shot wide ā however, the referee pointed to the spot for a debatable penalty.
Late drama at FNB Stadium š¤Æš¤Æ
ā SuperSport Football ā½ļø (@SSFootball) February 1, 2025
Orlando Pirates are awarded a penalty in stoppage time š#BetwayPrem | #SowetoDerby pic.twitter.com/0Es38OKzMz
Maswanganyi took on the spot kick and scored (with an incredibly brave āPanenkaā) with the last kick of the game to secure Soweto Derby glory for the Buccaneers.
The teams will return to Betway Premiership action next midweek, with Chiefs at home to AmaZulu on Tuesday 4 February and Pirates away to Sekhukhune United on Wednesday 5 February.
Orlando Pirates (0) 1 (Maswanganyi 90+6ā pen)
Kaizer Chiefs 0
Pirates: Chaine, Van Rooyen (Shandu 83ā), Sesane, Sibisi, Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha (Mako 83ā), Nkota (Dlamini 46ā), Maswanganyi, Mogokeng, Mabasa (Makgopa 75ā)
Chiefs: Bvuma, Mthethwa, Miguel, Dortley, Ditlhokwe, Blom, Matlou (Cele 51ā), Shabalala (Lilepo 60ā), Zwane (Maart 60ā), Mmodi (Sirino 86ā), Chivaviro (Vilakazi 86ā)