Vincent Pule stars for Bucs in victory against Amakhosi

Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates proved to be the better side as they beat an unconvincing Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in Saturday's Soweto derby at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. 

Pirates started the better of the two teams but went behind after Khama Billiat scored. Justin Shonga missed a penalty before Innocent Maela got the equaliser. 

Vincent Pule proved to be the hero as he tapped home the winner in the first half, though Chiefs did have chances to level in the second period.

Played in hot conditions, Pirates came out the stronger of the two sides with Pule coming close to scoring an opener though his strike from inside the area whistled wide. 

However, with Bucs seemingly the more likely to score, it was Chiefs who took something of a surprise advantage. From a cross from the left off the boot of Godfrey Walusimbi, Billiat appeared to get a touch which seemingly put off goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane. 

He failed to gather the ball and it dropped to Billiat who tapped home from close range into an empty net. 

Nonetheless, the Sea Robbers roared back and were awarded a penalty as Augustine Mulenga was hauled down in the penalty area following some clumsy defending. 

Shonga stepped up to take the strike though Itumeleng Khune produced a good low save to his right. Nonetheless, Bucs were to level soon afterwards after Shonga's corner was well headed home by Innocent Maela. 

In the 32nd minute Pule made it 2-1 to the home side after poor defending from Chiefs. Siyabonga Ngezana got caught out of position before the lively Mulenga crossed for the forward to tap home with ease beyond Khune. 

In the second stanza Chiefs started the better of the two sides and perhaps should have equalised when Siphelele Ntshangase found Leo Castro, but his tame effort was saved by Mpontshane. 

Just before the hour mark, Bernard Parker sent Ramahlwe Mphahlele free behind his marker and his pull back found Billiat on the small box, though his shot was brilliantly blocked by a sliding Happy Jele. 

With that said, not long after Shonga missed a sitter for the hosts. When Mphahlele and Khune got into a mix up, the ball fell to the Zambia forward though he side-footed over with the goal gaping. 

There were few other major alarms as the clock wound down and it would end 2-1 to Pirates at FNB, as they drew first blood against their major rivals in 2018/19.