Relebohile Mofokeng the hero as Orlando Pirates beat Kaizer Chiefs in Soweto derby

The Star

03-05-2025

Mihlali Baleka | Published 2 hours ago
The winter season is gradually creeping in, and thanks to their 'red hot' properties, Orlando Pirates are turning up the heat when it matters the most.
Mohau Nkota and Relebohile Mofokeng assisted and scored for Pirates as they beat Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 at a sold-out FNB Stadium on Saturday.
It was a much-needed win for Pirates that they bounced back to winning ways after losing back-to-back games in the CAF Champions League and Premiership.
This league win also brought a much-needed boost for Pirates ahead of their follow-up derby against Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup final in Durban next Saturday.
Pirates will have to thank their youngsters Nkota and Mofokeng for this victory as they continued to be the team's knights in shining armour.
Chiefs, though, will have to bounce back soon from this loss as they can't afford to falter in the Nedbank Cup, which is now their only chance of ending their 10-year drought.
The derby was expected to produce fireworks on the pitch, keeping both sets of supporters on the pitch. And the two teams duly heeded the call.
Chiefs came out flying from the blocks, taking the game to Pirates, almost driven by the impact of the impepho (a traditional incense) that was lit up by a supporter.
As such, the football gods smiled on them as they were ahead within three minutes, courtesy of a goal from their talisman Makabi Lilepo.
Lilepo buried from close-range from Dillan Solomons' cut-back after the wing-back reminded the sold-out crowd why he was once a sprinter after he flew down the flanks.
Lilepo became the third DR Congo-born player to score after Fiston Mayele of Pyramids and Tresor Tshibwabwa Yamba, who plays for Sekhukhune United.
Lilepo was like a demigod in the eye of the Chiefs fans this was his second goal in as many games, whereas The Ghost still flashed out a 'Bring Black Saleng' placard here.
But for all of Chiefs' bright start, they failed to double their lead as Gaston Sirino wasted a chance from close-range, while referee Eugene Mdluli turned down a penalty call.
Jose Riveiro had a restless time after his team conceded, pacing up and down the touchline like a father-to-be at a maternity ward, waiting for the birth of his son.
His son was eventually born via Evidence Makgopa – the striker repaying the faith he has shown in him by beating Bruce Bvuma from close-range after Nkota's assist.
While that eased Riveiro's nerves and brought The Ghost back from the dead, it brought nightmares for Bradley Cross at left back.
Cross got a yellow card and the ball bypassed him en route to the goal, and that's why even his coach Nasreddine Nabi threw his arms up in agony at times.
The Sea Robbers' ship was in full control thereafter, so much so that even the aeroplane that flew over this venue seemed to have nothing on them.
But despite their dominance, Pirates still went into the break level with Chiefs as they couldn't find the back of the net.
Bvuma had done well to keep his team in the game after tipping over Tapelo Xoki's cross, before Makgopa put his shot wide after skinning Edmilson Dove.
With Pirates competing with aeroplanes in speed, a SAPS helicopter flew over the venue before the break, summing up the decreased speed of Chiefs.
Amakhosi nearly got manna from heaven, though –perhaps delivered by that helicopter – as Xoki almost conceded an own goal, but Sipho Chaine saved his goal-bound shot.
The Sea Robbers added another firepower to their blistering ship at halftime as Kabelo Dlamini replaced Paseka Mako.
Dlamini's impact was also immediate as he ballooned a close-range shot after Mofokeng had set him up nicely in front of the box.
After that Dlamini miss, Mofokeng took the onus on him to make sure that the Sea Robbers sailed to the promised land – three points .
Mofokeng lobbed the ball over the wall putting in a through-ball for Deon Hotto, but after the Namibian delayed to fire away, the youngster was on hand to slot the loose ball past Bvuma.
Chiefs ended the game with 10 men as Cross got his marching orders late in the game after a second booking, while 'Cocomelon football' won the game for their side.