Chiefs and Pirates draw derby

Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates finished 1-1 in a South African Premiership derby on Saturday watched by a bumper crowd of 87,000.

The stalemate leaves the teams still separated by only three points at the top of the league, with Chiefs in the lead.

Zambian Collins Mbesuma scored the opener for the Pirates in the 21st minute at Soccer City.

The forward netted from inside the area after an assist from Oupa Manyisa.

Pirates continued to dominate in the sweltering heat and Mbesuma’s attempt to extend the lead in the 38th minute was ruled offside.

Shortly into the second half, Lehlonoholo Majoro equalised for Chiefs.

Back from an injury, national side striker Benni McCarthy came off the bench to replace Mbesuma for the Pirates. In a show of old form he attempted a bicycle kick in the 82nd minute, but the ball went over the bar.

Platinum Stars enjoyed a dramatic 6-4 win over Golden Arrows. Stars opened with two quick goals in the first quarter hour, but Arrows hit back to lead 4-2 at the break with Musa Bilankulu scoring a brace just two minutes apart. The home side charged back to level in the first quarter of the second half.

The match seemed destined for a 4-4 draw until Siphelele Mthembu struck home in the death throes, and Thuso Phala found the back of the net in stoppage time just for good measure.

AFP