Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela bemoaned his side's defending at set pieces after they slumped to a 3-1 defeat in the Soweto derby.
Amakhosi rallied from behind to level the scores in the first-half, Eric Mathoho slotting home in the 43rd minute to cancel out Issa Sarr's 25th-minute opener.
However, Chiefs were undone in the second-half as goals from Ayanda Gcaba and Thamsanqa Gabuza fired Orlando Pirates to a memorable derby victory.
"A loss is a loss, but worse so against Orlando Pirates," a dejected Komphela said in his post-match interview.
"We'll have to go back and assess then respond. Pirates came with the right energy to win this game.
"They played with pace and did all the right things needed for the win.
"We could have done better defending the set-pieces. Critical phases will always decide these matches."
The defeat leaves Komphela's men languishing in sixth place in the Absa Premiership standings, albeit within touching distance of Mamelodi Sundowns, Platinums Stars and Bidvest Wits at the top of the table.