A dramatic late penalty from Patrick Maswanganyi handed Orlando Pirates a 1-0 victory over Kaizer Chiefs in the Betway Premiership’s Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
However, it was injury time that presented the most controversial of penalty decisions as Maswanganyi slotted home, with a lot of coolness, a ‘Panenka’ penalty to give the Buccaneers all three points.
The result closes the deficit between Pirates and leaders Mamelodi Sundowns to three points, while Chiefs remain in fifth place, nine points off their opponents.
The Amakhosi had a glorious chance to take the lead inside the opening exchanges, but Pule Mmodi’s attempted round Sipho Chaine was well-foiled by the Pirates goalkeeper.
The Buccaneers’ first clear-cut opportunity did finally arrive midway through the opening half, with Relebohile Mofokeng’s effort well-cleared by Ignacio Miguel.
And that was pretty much all there was to it on the goals front until the dramatic late penalty as Pirates players and fans went into wild ecstasy.
Pirates will be hoping to make this a result worth something when they play Sekhukhune United on Wednesday, 5 February, while Chiefs welcome AmaZulu on Tuesday, 4 February.
