Kaizer Chiefs
6 Itumeleng Khune
Starts the second match of the week after keeping a clean-sheet against Ajax Cape Town. He makes a nervous start and fails to handle an easy floating cross in the 15th minute when he dives and misses completely. But he regains his composure and organises his defence very well, especially in the second half.
6 Siboniso Gaxa
Has a very solid match and does well to deal with the threat posed by Mpho Makola, especially in the second half as Pirates bomb down that flank. Also comes very close to scoring the winner on 84 minutes.
6 Molumowandau Mathoho
A solid game from the towering centre-back. Wins most battles inside the first 20 minutes, though at times opted for hooving the ball forward rather than playing out from the back. He should have scored in the 32nd minute when he missed a free header inside the Pirates box.
6 Tefu Mashamaite
Played a key role in organizing the defence, and looked composed and comfortable against the one-striker tactic employed by Pirates.
6 Tsepo Masilela
Started very well defensively, but often found himself isolated as Myeni tucked inside most of the time. Going forward Masilela tried his best to put Happy Jele under pressure and he was almost rewarded early in the second half when he played a one-two with Siphiwe Tshabalala, only to see his cross cut out by Brighton Mhlongo.
6 Willard Katsande
Neutralised the threat posed by the tricky Pirates midfield and linked up very well with his midfield partner Reneilwe Letsholonyane. Almost got into trouble when he and Masilela sandwiched Makola inside the box, but got away with it.
6 Reneilwe Letsholonyane
Yeye delivered the match’s first shot on target in the 49th minute when Mhlongo saved his curling effort. Did very little else going forward, but rarely put a foot wrong defensively.
5 Mandla Masango 5
A very quiet match by the attacking midfielder, failng to live up to the pre-match expectations. He was eventually replaced by George Maluleka.
6 George Lebese
Had referee Zolile Mthethwa blown his whistle for a penalty when Siyabonga Sangweni brought down Lebese, Chiefs could have gone on to win the match. Had flashes of brilliance, but few and far between.
*7 Siphiwe Tshabalala
Shabba made his record-breaking 23rd Soweto Derby appearance and was a constant threat for the Pirates defence. He came closest to scoring when his shot hit the crossbar on 57 minutes, and nearly provided a late, match-winning assist for Gaxa.
5 Bernard Parker
A very quiet first half playing as the ‘target-man’, but came to life in the second half and looked dead certain to score, but for Thabo Matlaba’s last-ditch tackle. Also hit the side-netting in time added on.
6 Siphelele Mthembu
Mthembu was brought on for Lebese with 20 minutes to go, and showed enough to suggest he could have started in the ‘Kingston Nkhatha role’. Set up Parker for a injury-time chance.
George Maluleka and Kgotso Moleko – Came on with just a few minutes remaining, not enough to get a rating.
Orlando Pirates
6 Brighton Mhlongo
Mhlongo had a mostly relaxed afternoon, pulling off smart saves from Yeye and Gaxa. Had one moment in the 78th minute when he missed a cross, but Sangweni was on hand to save the day.
6 Happy Jele 6
A solid game from the right-back, who made a crucial challenge to stop Lebese from scoring and looked composed all round. Missed a good headed chance just past the hour-mark.
7 Rooi Mahamutsa
Mahamutsa looked relaxed, calm and collected throughout the match. Made some crucial last-ditch tackles through the match, most notably on Shabba late in the game.
5 Siyabonga Sangweni
Sangweni got away with murder early on when he hacked Lebese down in the area, but the referee waved play on. Looked a bit sluggish and slow to the ball at times, but with Parker hardly posing a threat, he got away with it.
7 Thabo Matlaba
A good match from the right-back, who produced two fantastic tackles to deny Chiefs players. Not quite the threat he usually poses on attack.
6 Mpho Makola
Had the best chance of the first half when he headed over from Myenis cross, and also felt he should have had a penalty after being sandwiched by Katsande and Masilela. Solid game.
5 Thandani Ntshumayelo
The midfielder had a very quiet match, mostly conceding fouls and not really having much of an influence going forward. Was eventually replaced by Rakhale with 20 minutes to go.
6 Issa Sarr
Another solid outing for the former Platinum Stars man. Cut out numerous Chiefs attacks and provided the necessary cover to allow Oupa Manyisa to go forward.
6 Oupa Manyisa
Linked up well with Sarr, making things tick for Pirates in midfield and controlling the pace of the match. Not his usual threat on attack, but at the same time kept Yeye pegged back in his half.
* Sifiso Myeni 7
A great match from a player who doesn’t always get the praise he deserves from the fans. Proved a constant threat to the Chiefs wingbacks and nearly scored the winning goal when his deflected shot came back off the crossbar.
5 Lehlohonolo Majoro
Majoro missed the last three matches, and it showed as he looked a bit off the pace. It didn’t help that he played alone up-front, and his frustration was visible. Was lucky to escape with only a booking for a bad challenge on Gaxa, and was replaced with 30 minutes remaining.
5 Kermit Erasmus
Came on for Majoro and showed some good touches, but again playing on his own made it difficult to make an impact.
5 Thabo Rakhale
Came in for Ntshumayelo with 20 minutes and didn’t offer anything special.
Lennox Bacela
Came in for Makola with a minute to go