SO THE FANS LOSE AGAIN
Another Soweto derby, another draw, despite a chance from the penalty spot
ANOTHER derby draw. But this time there was enough intrigue and spectacle in a game played at a healthy, competitive tempo to give the 70 000 spectators their money’s worth as bitter rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates shared the spoils.
However, Chiefs blew the chance for glory when Willard Katsande failed to convert a penalty with a tame shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Joseph Molangoane put Chiefs ahead in the18th minute of yesterday’s Absa Premiership encounter at FNB Stadium, Thembinkosi Lorch equalising in the 33rd minute.
This was Chiefs coach Steve Komphela’s sixth derby without a regular-time win — he won a Telkom Knockout match on penalties in 2015.
And there was to be no derby glory for new Pirates coach Kjell Jonevret in his second game in charge.
The derby has become approached with trepidation by the armchair critic, even if supporters still brave the traffic to stream to the stadium. Dull draws and singlegoal victories have become something of a turn-off.
Pirates might have been struggling in 10th place, but have a new coach and a breath of fresh air blowing through a stressed-out team that has needed to learn to inhale easily again.
And Chiefs, even when labouring in the first half of the season, have refused to go away in the title race. Amakhosi have gained in strength to go seven matches unbeaten now.
A draw was not the result to get Bucs out of the bottom half.
Nor will it do much for Chiefs to keep pace with title chasers like Bidvest Wits, SuperSport United and Cape Town City, vanquishers of Sundowns on Friday.
Komphela brought in centre-back Lorenzo Gordinho for Daniel Cardoso, Edmore Chirambadare on the wing for George Lebese and Bernard Parker for Gustavo Paez upfront from the only one of those results other than a win – the 1-1 away draw against Ajax Cape Town.
Jonevret changed only Thamsanqa Gabuza at centreforward for Tendai Ndoro and Lorch on the wing for Luvuyo Memela from his side that drew 1-1 in the coach’s first game, the 1-1 draw against Polokwane City.
Chiefs are a more settled team. Perhaps that was why they took an early lead. Pirates had pushed from the start but could not make it count.
Lorch headed over and Happy Jele’s ball floated in was chested down, running across goal by the dangerous Dove Wome, who did well to squeeze a shot past his marker and force a save from Itumeleng Khune.
But attacking intent will be to no avail if a defence makes crucial errors. Bucs were caught square to allow Siphiwe Tshabalala to pass Parker down the right, who squared for a free Molangoane to easily side-foot past Brighton Mhlongo.
Molangoane had a second chance soon from Ramahlwe Mphahlele’s low pass but could not beat Mhlongo. Pirates equalised with a touch of fortune. Patrick Phungwayo’s cross from the left seemed hopeful but fell to Lorch alone past the far post, whose snap volley was low and hard and took a deflection off Tsepo Masilela then Khune’s shins, and in.
Pirates started to edge the second half, though without making headway past an impressive Chiefs back four.
Amakhosi absorbed, then earned a penalty inside the last 10 minutes. Molangoane’s cross hit the arm of Bucs centre-back Ayanda Gcaba and referee Kulasande Qongqo pointed to the spot.
Katsande stepped up, but the Chiefs’ hard man tried to be clever with his strike, shooting low which Mhlongo stopped with an outstretched leg.