Kaizer Chiefs FC were beaten 2-1 by arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby on Saturday 31 October. The result at FNB Stadium ended their unbeaten run and left them nine points behind league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, a gap that reflects their current fifth-place standing on 14 points from eight games, having recorded three wins and five draws this season.
Pule Mmodi equalised for Chiefs after a handling error by Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, cancelling out Yanela Mbuthuma's 24th-minute opener. But Tshepang Moremi's 55th-minute strike secured the win for the hosts. Chiefs now sit fifth in the Premier Soccer League with 14 points from eight games. Their recent form shows two wins, one draw, and two losses from their last five outings, a sequence that includes a 1-0 loss to Red Arrows on Saturday 17 October and a 1-1 draw with Stellenbosch on Tuesday 13 October.
The defeat is a significant setback in the title race. This follows a mixed run of results where the victory over TS Galaxy last Tuesday 27 October, featuring a Wandile Duba hat-trick, was preceded by that defeat to Red Arrows. Across the season, the team has scored 13 goals while conceding eight, giving them a positive goal difference of five.
Luxolo Badi, a figure connected to the club, made his feelings clear in a brief statement. "Luxolo Badi is a criminal," he said.
Chiefs had gone into the derby on the back of a 3-0 win over TS Galaxy, where Wandile Duba netted a hat-trick with goals in the 48th, 63rd, and 66th minutes. They must now regroup for a tough match against an Amazulu side that has started the season strongly. The team's attacking output this season has been led by M. Shabalala, who is the current top scorer with two goals in five appearances.
First reported at goal.com
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has admitted his own tactics put his team under pressure in Saturday's derby. "I think coach Ouaddou put his team in trouble in the first half," he said. He credited half-time adjustments for stabilising his side after Chiefs' equaliser. The 2-1 defeat leaves Chiefs fifth in the Premier Soccer League, nine points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. Watch next as they host third-placed Amazulu on Wednesday.
Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz blamed missed first-half chances and a disputed Pirates goal for the 2-1 derby defeat. He said his young side lacked experience in the final 20 minutes. "In the first half, we must have killed this game," Da Cruz told reporters. The loss leaves Chiefs fifth in the Premier Soccer League, nine points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
