Superb Pirates thrash hapless Chiefs

Orlando Pirates thrashed Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 in the 2020 MTN8 semifinal first-leg match at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Buccaneers will take a 3-0 aggregate lead into the second-leg encounter, which will be played at Amakhosi’s home ground, FNB Stadium on 8 November.

The match got off to a lively start with both teams launching attacks in search of an early goal, but the first real chance of the game fell for Khama Billiat. The Zimbabwean forward dribbled his way into the box before unleashing a shot, which hit the crossbar in the 11th minute, and Pirates survived a scare.

Billiat was proving to be a thorn in the hosts’ defence with his impressive speed and he did well to set up Leonardo Castro, who missed a sitter from close range in the 20th minute. Pirates then began threatening as they played long balls and crosses into the Chiefs box for their targetman Zakhele Lepasa.

The 23-year-old marksman opened the scoring four minutes before the half-hour mark when he headed home Terrence Dzvukamanja’s delightful cross to make to 1-0 to Pirates.

Chiefs tried to respond with a goal, but Billiat’s effort was blocked inside the box by Ntsikelelo Nyauza, before Siyabonga Ngezana failed to direct his header towards goal. The hosts then contained Chiefs and the score was 1-0 to Pirates at the interval.

The Buccaneers frustrated Amakhosi after the restart and coach Gavin Hunt introduced Happy Mashiane and Bernard Parker as the visitors looked to level matters.

However, Pirates upped the tempo and they managed to double their lead in the 67th minute after the Chiefs defence was exposed.

Thembinkosi Lorch set up Vincent Pule, who turned inside the visitors’ box, before firing past Chiefs goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi to make it 2-0 to Pirates. Chiefs launched attacks and Pirates keeper Richard Ofori denied Leonardo Castro with a good save in the 69th minute.

However, Amakhosi were left vulnerable at the back and they were punished by Lorch, who beat Akpeyi to make it 3-0 to Pirates following a quick counter-attack with nine minutes left. The goal sealed Pirates’ 3-0 victory over a hapless Chiefs side, with Lorch receiving a well-deserved man of the match award.