Soweto Derby: Pirates dominate impotent Chiefs in statement victory

Kaizer Chiefs were powerless to resist as a lethal and efficient Orlando Pirates side dominated in Saturday’s 3-0 Betway Premiership victory from the opening Soweto Derby of the 2025-26 season (full highlights at the end).

✌️ 𝕊𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕥𝕠 𝔻𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕪 ☠️

⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: Oswin Appollis has doubled Bucs lead!

𝐊𝐚𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐬 0⃣➖2⃣ 𝐎𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐏𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬

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— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) February 28, 2026

Tshepang Moremi’s deflected low strike following a short corner kick in the 5th minute marked a nightmare start for AmaKhosi at the FNB Stadium, who were all out of sorts throughout the match. Oswin Appollis completed a perfect first half for the Bucs with a low finish close to halftime and Evidence Makgopa’s second half header completed a dominant victory.

Amabhakabhaka came into the match following a stunning penalty kick shootout defeat to second tier side Casric Stars in the Nedbank Cup as well as a home defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the league, but showed absolutely no ill effects on Saturday. They kept their rivals from managing even a single attempt on goal in the opening 45 minutes.

✌️ 𝕊𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕥𝕠 𝔻𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕪 ☠️

⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: Tshepang Moremi gets an opener for Bucs!

𝐊𝐚𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐬 0⃣➖1⃣ 𝐎𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐏𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬

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— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) February 28, 2026

And after a stroke of fortune allowed Moremi to break the deadlock early, the heads went down from a Chiefs side that failed to adequately respond to the setback.

A dominant midfield performance from the Bucs was well reflected on the second goal in the 39th minute. After winning a loose ball, Thalente Mbatha embarked on a swashbuckling run towards the edge of the opposition penalty area.

A tackle from defender Inacio Miguel briefly stopped the attack but Relebohile Mofokeng was there to collect and set up Appollis, who had too much room to move in and finish low past AmaKhosi goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma.

At that point the damage was done with frustration clear to see on the faces of Chiefs players. After halftime, there was little improvement from the hosts who made it too easy for the Bucs to consolidate their lead and hold on with little issue.

Insult to injury was added by substitute Evidence Makgopa in the 79th minute. The AmaKhosi defense was switched off when Deon Hotto threw in to Moremi, who had time to turn and whip in a cross to find the striker at the near post for a header past the helpless Bvuma.

✌️ 𝕊𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕥𝕠 𝔻𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕪 ☠️

⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: Evidence Makgopa makes it three for Bucs!

𝐊𝐚𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐬 0⃣➖3⃣ 𝐎𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐏𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬

🚨 LIVE
📺 SABC 1
🌐 https://t.co/26PdrPrnVE#SABCSportFootball #BetwayPrem #SowetoDerby pic.twitter.com/xumbLNedom

— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) February 28, 2026

With the victory, Pirates maintain their neck-to-neck title race with Sundowns by moving three points ahead on the league table. Sundowns will have an opportunity to respond and keep things level when they host Sekhukhune United on Sunday.

As for Chiefs, besides the devastating blow to morale, they are now eleven points back of their rivals in fourth place. They have now lost their last three matches in all competitions, a stretch that includes their elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup group stage as well as back-to-back league defeats.

Later on Saturday, action from the South African top flight will continue with three matches.

Full Highlights: Chiefs 0-3 Pirates

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