Pirates Sink Chiefs Again to Complete Soweto Derby Double

FNB Stadium, Johannesburg – Orlando Pirates extended their dominance over archrivals Kaizer Chiefs with a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory in the Soweto Derby on Saturday, completing a league double and keeping their Premier Soccer League title hopes alive.

Chiefs struck early through Glody Lilepo, capitalizing on a precise setup from Dillan Solomons in just the third minute. But Pirates responded with intent, and their persistence paid off in the 23rd minute when Evidence Makgopa finished off a swift counterattack orchestrated by Mohau Nkota.

The second half saw Pirates take control of the tempo, and in the 68th minute, Relebohile Mofokeng punished some sloppy Chiefs defending to slot home the winner — his fifth league goal of the season. Chiefs’ frustrations boiled over late on as defender Bradley Cross was sent off, leaving them to finish the game with ten men.

The result piles more pressure on struggling Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi, whose side has now gone seven league matches without a win and sits ninth on the table with 30 points from 26 games. Pirates, meanwhile, move to 49 points — nine behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns — and remain firmly in the title race.

The two sides are set to meet again next weekend in the Nedbank Cup final, with tensions and stakes running even higher after this fiery derby result.