Akpeyi,Kaizer Chiefs laugh last hit Orlando Pirates 2-1

Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi made an error but it did not stop Kaizer Chiefs from running away with   a 2-1 win over fierce rivals Orlando Pirates in a tight-fought Soweto Derby on Saturday.

The Nigerian international would have registered a clean sheet but for Linda Mntambo’s 87th minute goal which incidentally was the consolation goal for Pirates.

Interestingly Kaizer Chiefs celebrated Stuart Baxter’s 100th league game in charge with the well-deserved win

In what was the 175th derby, Chiefs dangermen Khama Billiat and Keagan Dolly combined in a rasping 49th-minute counter-attack that caught Pirates’ napping and a stoppage-time penalty that was converted by Dolly.

Pirates had equalised through Linda Mntambo in the 87th-minute after a Daniel Akpeyi error, but Olisah Ndah’s trailing elbow was enough to convince referee Victor Hlungwani to award the penalty.

The win, Chiefs’ fourth of the season, moved them to fifth place on the log with 15 points while Pirates’ second defeat of the season kept them in seventh place.

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While there wasn’t much that separated the sides, but Chiefs had better structure and composure pulled through against Pirates commendable, distinctly ragged endeavour.

However, Chiefs are in a far better developmental stage than Orlando Pirates and it should not come as a surprise if Chiefs finish the season stronger.

While Pirates may have the better players on paper barring Dolly and Billiat, they’re a work-in-progress.

On what was a hot afternoon with a storm that brewed in the distance, the 0-0 scoreline was a fair reflection of how closely contested the first stanza was.

With both teams coming into the game in patchy form and contrasting results, they lacked the confidence and the poise to force the issue.