A sold out FNB Stadium witnessed a first half where Kaizer Chiefs were clearly looking more dangerous. Both teams committed to attacking, and the first five minutes it looked as if Pirates really meant business.
In the 10th minute Pirates captain Innocent Maela, missed a clear chance in the box when he failed to connect properly with a cross that probably caught him by surprise.
Immediately thereafter Keagan Dolly had a deflected shot well saved by Siyabonga Mponshane. Chiefs then started to create several clear-cut chances that should have put them at least one goal in front.
In the 15th minute Dillan Solomons hit a near perfect cross that Khama Billiat put past the post. Later Mponshane made two goal saving saves within two minutes of each other, denying Ashley Du Preez each time.
The closest Pirates came to scoring in this period, was when a snap shot from Kermit Erasmus sped past the post that looked like Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen had covered.
Pirates also suffered a big blow in the 25th minute, when captain Maela had to go off with a hamstring injury, to be replaced by Paseka Mako .
Chiefs Njabulo Blom was the stand-out player of the first half. The score may be 0-0 at half time, but Chiefs clearly have the upper hand.