Orlando Pirates secured a comeback 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs in the league Soweto Derby at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
In the first instalment of the back-to-back derbies, the biggest match in the South African football calander, Glody Lilepo got Chiefs off to a flying start when he prodded home Dillan Solomons cross beyond a diving Sipho Chaine.
It set the tone for a frantic end to end fixture with the deadlock broken after just two minutes and just before the hour mark, Pirates restored parity with Mohau Nkota’s defence splitting pass finding Evidence Makgopa in the area.
The rangy striker made no mistake, slotted the ball beyond Bruce Bvuma and while both sides had a couple of opportunities after, it was 1-1 going into the break.
With the old adage of form flies out the window for the Derby, both sides were looking to get back to winning ways and gain some confidence when they meet each other in the Nedbank Cup final.
But it will be Pirates, who moved up to 49 points, nine off leaders Mamelodi Sundowns that will have the edge as their influential attacker Relebohile Mofokeng proved the difference with his 69th minute goal.
Chiefs, in ninth, now have only two games to attempt to secure a place in the top eight, for the 2025 MTN8 qualification but will be aiming for an improved display in the domestic cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium next week.
