Soweto giants play to pulsating draw

DURBAN – ORLANDO Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs played to a pulsating 2-2 draw in an Absa Premiership clash at Durban’s Absa Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

A sublime opening minute volley from Mabhuti Khenyeza handed Chiefs the early advantage before a brace from Excellent Walaza saw Pirates surge into a lead. Arthur Zwane, however, pulled the Amakhosi level on the hour mark to ensure that Chiefs’ recent unbeaten record against their rivals remained intact.Khenyeza got the match off to an astonishing start, controlling Shaun Bartlett’s throw in on his chest before turning and firing home a stunning volley into the top corner after just 20-odd seconds for what must surely be among the fastest ever goals in the history of the great derby.After recovering from the initial shock of going behind with less than a minute of play having elapsed, Pirates began to stroke the ball around with some confidence, no doubt helped by Cyril Nzama looking decidedly shaky at the heart of Amakhosi’s defence, although it took them a while before they started to try their luck at goal.Chiefs ‘keeper Itumeleng Khune was given his first test in the 28th minute and, after initially fumbling Lucky Lekgwathi’s dipping volley at his near post, he recovered to smother the loose ball, thankful that no Pirates player had followed up to punish his initial mistake.Khune, however, could do nothing to stop Pirates’ 34th minute equaliser, with Walaza getting in between defenders Nzama and Fabian McCarthy to head home from Bennett Chenene’s fine cross.Bartlett had the chance to start the second half in a similarly explosive manner as the first, but, after a superb pass from substitute David Obua had given the former Bafana Bafana striker a clear sight of goal, he fired a low drive inches wide of Senzo Meyiwa’s right hand upright.Bartlett’s miss was soon punished, with Walaza latching onto a loose ball in the penalty area to put Pirates into the lead seven minutes after the interval.Yet the Buccaneers’ lead was short lived, as a large slice of luck gifted Chiefs an equaliser just before the hour mark.Lekgwathi’s attempted clearance from within his penalty area cannoned off teammate Lehlohonolo Seema and fell kindly at the back post for Arthur Zwane, allowing the winger to head home his first goal for nearly two years.Chiefs dominated in the period immediately after drawing level and the hosts needed Meyiwa to produce two fine saves to deny Khenyeza and Obua in quick succession.Pirates had a close shave two minutes before the end of regulation time when Bongani Cashibe almost unwittingly deflected a Chiefs free kick into his own goal, with the Amakhosi looking the likelier winners in the dying minutes.SupersoccerArthur Zwane, however, pulled the Amakhosi level on the hour mark to ensure that Chiefs’ recent unbeaten record against their rivals remained intact.Khenyeza got the match off to an astonishing start, controlling Shaun Bartlett’s throw in on his chest before turning and firing home a stunning volley into the top corner after just 20-odd seconds for what must surely be among the fastest ever goals in the history of the great derby.After recovering from the initial shock of going behind with less than a minute of play having elapsed, Pirates began to stroke the ball around with some confidence, no doubt helped by Cyril Nzama looking decidedly shaky at the heart of Amakhosi’s defence, although it took them a while before they started to try their luck at goal.Chiefs ‘keeper Itumeleng Khune was given his first test in the 28th minute and, after initially fumbling Lucky Lekgwathi’s dipping volley at his near post, he recovered to smother the loose ball, thankful that no Pirates player had followed up to punish his initial mistake.Khune, however, could do nothing to stop Pirates’ 34th minute equaliser, with Walaza getting in between defenders Nzama and Fabian McCarthy to head home from Bennett Chenene’s fine cross.Bartlett had the chance to start the second half in a similarly explosive manner as the first, but, after a superb pass from substitute David Obua had given the former Bafana Bafana striker a clear sight of goal, he fired a low drive inches wide of Senzo Meyiwa’s right hand upright.Bartlett’s miss was soon punished, with Walaza latching onto a loose ball in the penalty area to put Pirates into the lead seven minutes after the interval.Yet the Buccaneers’ lead was short lived, as a large slice of luck gifted Chiefs an equaliser just before the hour mark.Lekgwathi’s attempted clearance from within his penalty area cannoned off teammate Lehlohonolo Seema and fell kindly at the back post for Arthur Zwane, allowing the winger to head home his first goal for nearly two years.Chiefs dominated in the period immediately after drawing level and the hosts needed Meyiwa to produce two fine saves to deny Khenyeza and Obua in quick succession.Pirates had a close shave two minutes before the end of regulation time when Bongani Cashibe almost unwittingly deflected a Chiefs free kick into his own goal, with the Amakhosi looking the likelier winners in the dying minutes.Supersoccer