A pulsating Soweto Derby at a sold-out FNB Stadium ended honours even on Sunday afternoon, with Kamogelo Sebelebele’s equaliser cancelling out Pule Mmodi’s opener in a match that will leave Orlando Pirates frustrated as the DStv Premiership title race enters its final stretch.
Mmodi broke the deadlock after the hour mark, converting following a brilliant solo run from Wandile Duba that sliced through the Pirates midfield with alarming ease.
The Calabash, dominated throughout by a sea of red and black, was temporarily stunned as Amakhosi threatened to turn the derby into a statement victory.
Pirates, however, showed the resilience that has characterised their campaign, with Sebelebele restoring parity on 74 minutes to send the Buccaneers supporters into raptures and set up a tense closing quarter that ultimately ended without a further goal.
The result is one that satisfies neither side entirely, but it is Pirates who will feel the pinch most acutely. Having played two games more than Mamelodi Sundowns, the gap to the summit is at two points points — a deficit that makes their prospects of winning the league dimmer as Sundowns look to get back on top.
For Chiefs, a point against their fiercest rivals in front of a full house is not without merit, and the performance will offer the squad and technical team encouragement as his side continue to push for a top-three finish.
The atmosphere inside the Calabash was everything the Soweto Derby demands — charged, passionate and unrelenting from first whistle to last. Ultimately though, the football failed to produce a winner, and in the context of the title race, that matters most to Pirates.
Sundowns will now be aiming to move top with a win over Richards Bay that kicked off at 17:30.
