Here is the story: The Soweto Derby was it treacherous self again as Amakhosi beat pre-match favourites, Orlando Pirates 1-0 in front of just over a 78 000 crowd at FNB stadium.
The win means Amakhosi have completed an unlikely double, considering their current form, over their arch rivals, while making it five derby wins in a row.
But the game itself didn’t live up to the hype, with a few moments from Ashley Du Preez, and attempts from Saleng and Lorch being the best highlights from a lacklustre performance from both sides.
What the game confirmed is that the Soweto derby has indeed lost its soul.
Also Read: Has The Soweto Derby Lost Its Soul?
The fact of the matter is: Orlando Pirates as a team will have themselves to blame for the loss.
Put Maela’s red card, and Olisah Ndah’s own goal aside, Amabhakaniya had the pulse of the games on their palms.
They averaged 55 to 65% possession in the first half, with Chiefs only threatening through quick offensive transitions, yet they could not break down the Amakhosi defence.
What makes matters worse is they failed to do so with probably their best attacking team on the field of play that included fan favourites in Lorch, Pule, and Saleng on the offensive line.
With that kind of artillery in their attack, Pirates should have been able to dismantle Amakhosi’s defensive block.
It has to be embarrassing that they only managed eight goal attempts, with only two on target, despite dominating for most parts of the game.
Kaizer Chiefs deserve credit for being able to withstand the early Bucs onslaught, and finally turning the game around after Maela’s red card, although they could have done much better.
After the sending off, Chiefs started to enjoy more possession as it was to be expected, moving up to 53%, although they still failed to threaten the Orlando Pirates goal, until Olisa Ndah presented them with an undeserved gift.
Also Read: What Does Deon Hotto Offer Orlando Pirates?
In a nutshell: This was another disappointing edition of the Soweto derby.
It clearly highlighted the obvious drop in standards from both sides, with no real stand out performers from both sides as it should be expected in a game of this magnitude.
What the game did though, is to buy a bit of time for the beleaguered Amakhosi coach, Arthur Zwane.
It also gave their fans something to cheer about, other than that; the derby was just another anti-climax.
