Yusuf Maart's wonder goal in the second half guided Kaizer Chiefs to a 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates on Saturday afternoon.
Chiefs were without Bonfils Caleb Bimenyimana, with Khama Billiat, Dillon Solomons and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo recalled by coach Arthur Zwane, while Pirates slotted Goodman Mosele for the suspended Miguel Timm.
It was a lively opening period where chances on both ends came through Innocent Maela from a corner-kick before a one-hand save from Pirates goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane parried Keagan Dolly's rasping shot at the other end.
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There was a forced change for the Buccaneers before the half-hour mark, as an injury saw the removal of captain Innocent Maela who was replaced by Paseka Mako.The disruption didn't affect the host, as they carved out an opening minutes later when Kermit Erasmus fired inches wide of the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Chiefs, though, were closest to the lead three minutes after the half-hour mark as the pace of Ashley Du Preez caught the Buccaneers napping and forced Mpontshane into two point-blank saves in quick succession.
As Pirates brought on Fortune Makaringe and Kabelo Dlamini at halftime, the host came close to the lead moments later when Monnapule Saleng headed over in the area following a cross.
Pirates upped the tempo ahead of the closing quarter in the second half and saw Erasmus cut inside from a tight angle in the area before going wide of the bottom-corner.
The Amakhosi went ahead near the last 15 minutes after Yusuf Maart spotted Mpontshane off the goal- line and from the half-way line fired in an unguarded net.
Chiefs added Reeve Frosler for Solomons and Siyethemba Sithebe for the goal-scorer Maart in an effort to consolidate matters with fulltime on the horizon.
At the end, the Glamour Boys shored up the closing exchanges of play and secured the bragging rights in the process.
Confirmed line-ups:
Orlando Pirates: Mpontshane, Maela, Sibisi, Ndah, Monyane, Mosele, Ndlondlo, Lepasa, Hotto, Saleng, ErasmusSubs: Ofori, Peprah, Xoki, Shandu, Dlamini, Makgaka, Makaringe, Motshwari
Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen, Solomons, Dove, Kwinika, Hlanti, Blom, Maart, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Dolly , Du Preez, Billiat
Subs: Bvuma, Mathoho, Mashiane, Alexander, Ngezana, Sithebe, Frosler, Matlou, Sekgota
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