Orlando Pirates 0-2 Kaizer Chiefs: Amakhosi stretch their lead at the top Players

Tshabalala and Mthembu both scored as Kaizer Chiefs defeated Orlando Pirates 2-0 in an Absa Premiership encounter played at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon

Hosts Orlando Pirates were out to stop Kaizer Chiefs, who were unbeaten in regulation time in all competitions this campaign.

The match got off to a lively start, as both sets of players showed signs of urgency on the ball. However, there was no goal mouth action within the first 10 minutes.

Pirates midfielder Thandani Ntshumayelo took a crack at goal from just inside the box in the 12th minute, but his strike was blocked by Chiefs center-half Erick Mathoho.

The home side were again on the attack four minutes later, when new Bafana Bafana defender Patrick Phungwayo whipped in a cross from the right, forcing Amakhosi goalkeeper Briliant Khuzwayo to punch away the curling ball.

Chiefs' got a half chance in the 20th minute, after defender Siboniso Gaxa's cross met his teammate Kingston Nkhatha's head, but the Zimbabwean forward was unable keep his effort on target.

Khuzwayo was the busier of the two goalkeepers, as the 24-year-old had to deal with several long balls from Pirates inside his area.

On the stroke of half-time, Bucs defender Rooi Mahamutsa headed the ball towards his own goal posts, but shot-stopper Brighton Mhlongo was alert, as the 23-year-old pushed the ball out for a corner-kick.

Match Referee Phillip Tinyani blew the whistle for half-time, after Chiefs failed to utilize their set-piece, and the half-time score was 0-0.
Chiefs began the second-half brightly, and coach Stuart Baxter's side were rewarded for their efforts in the 51st minute, when Bernard Parker's cross from the right, was steered home by his teammate Siphiwe Tshabalala from close-range, making it 1-0 to the away side.
Bafana Bafana midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane should have doubled Amakhosi's lead in the 64th minute, but the dreadlocked player cliped the goal frame from point-blank range.

Pirates caretaker coach Eric Tinkler made a double substitution introducing Kermit Erasmus, and Mpho Makola for Lehlohonolo Majoro, and Thandani Ntshumayelo four minutes later.

Makola made an immediate impact, dribbling inside the Chiefs box, before finding Daine Klate with a good pass. However, 29-year-old Klate's strike from close range went wide in the 70th minute.

The Buccaneers nearly equalized three minutes later, when 32-year-old center-half Mahamutsa rose highest inside the Chiefs box, before heading inches wide of the target.

Tinkler's changes had rejuvenated the home side, as they were now able to keep possession in the Chiefs half, with Erasmus, Myeni, and Makola making good runs in the final third, but time was running out for Pirates.

As Bucs surged forward in numbers, they were left vulnerable at the back, and they were punished in injury-time, after George Lebese broke down the right, and found Siphelele Mthembu in the box, who beat Mhlongo with a low drive.

In the end, Chiefs won 2-0, stretching their lead at the top of the Absa Premiership log to 36 points.

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