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Donny’s song Basheshe Bahleka belted out from cars leaving the FNB Stadium yesterday after Chiefs’ hard-fought victory here.
It was not a pretty win, but they all count, don’t they?
Pirates will feel hard done by after dropping all three points, as they deserved something out of a game where they hit the post three times. After forcing themselves back into this game – coming back from two goals down – Pirates lost it at the end to an 83rd-minute penalty.
But while they were angry at their side for giving away a two-goal lead, Chiefs supporters had the last laugh as they once again got bragging rights over their archrivals.
Apart from the scoreline, this is the Soweto derby that everyone wants to watch: end-to-end stuff, penalty, red card and goals galore. If anything, this was a good advert for South African football as the two teams showed their class, and dished out beautiful and entertaining football.
It was a follow-up from another 2-2 draw in regulation that Chiefs won on penalties when the two giants clashed in the Telkom Knockout quarterfinal last weekend. Even yesterday, the two teams dished out thrilling football – only to spoil it at the end with an unnecessary sending off of Eric Mathoho.
But, overall, it was a good game of football, as both sides got as much as they gave and were only separated by a single goal at the end. One forced change at the back and three other tactical ones was what greeted Pirates supporters. With captain Happy Jele suspended for this encounter, Abel Mabaso took his position at the back while the almost-forgotten Xola Mlambo made a return to the side.
After his impressive display when he came off the bench to level matters last weekend, Gabadinho Mhango rightfully took his place in the starting line-up, and so did Paseka Mako. And they did not disappoint as they matched Chief pound for pound.
For a change, supporters came early and in large numbers, and must be commended for that. It was money well spent as the game lived up to expectations from the first whistle. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about latecomers who missed the opening goal when the game was less than a minute old. The own goal set the scene for what was to come.
Playing on the back foot from the opening minute was always going to be tough for Pirates as they were now chasing the score. But, to their credit, they recollected themselves and found their footing as they took the game to the hosts.
Despite the early setback, Pirates did not let that go to their head and affect them. They did everything possible to force themselves back into the contest, but found life difficult at the other end of the field.
And they were caught off guard again at the back as Castro netted Chiefs’ second goal in the 27th minute. Pirates’ defence had always been suspect on aerial balls and it was not surprising that Leonardo Castro outjumped all of them to easily net the goal.
But, again, Pirates showed character and fighting spirit as they forced their way back into the game by not succumbing to pressure. They were duly rewarded when Vincent Pule netted from a well-taken free kick when the game was 37 minutes old. And this goal gave them the belief and oomph to push for the equaliser. And they got back on the scoresheet through Mhango’s brilliant goal in the 59th minute.
Then it was anybody’s game as no side wanted to drop points. However, it was Chiefs who benefited from a clumsy tackle by Mako on substitute Bernard Parker in the box late in the game. As usual, Daniel Cardoso was trusted with the resultant spot kick and he did not make a mistake as he converted what in the end was to be the winning goal.
A mini-riot ensued on the field after Mhango was stopped in his tracks. What should have been easily resolved ended with referee Thando Ndzandzeka dishing out three yellow cards and a red card to Mathoho, spoiling what had been a good afternoon.
While Chiefs supporters left the venue a happy lot after back-to-back victories over their rivals, the Buccaneers were still wondering what could have, should have and would have happened had they not conceded the penalty. Supporters got their money’s worth – and the #KFCProposal power couple, Hector and Nonhlanhla, who were guests at the game, also left with smiles on their faces.
And remember, Basheshe Bahleka!
Chiefs: Ntsikelelo Nyauza 1’ (own goal), Leonardo Castro 27’, Cardoso 83’
Pirates: Vincent Pule 37’, Gabadinho Mhango 59’
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