Orlando Pirates Reserves suffered defeat in Sunday’s Soweto Derby clash at Tsakane Stadium, which ended with a 2-0 scoreline in favour of rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
The young Buccaneers remain third in the DStv Diski Challenge standings, eight points off the pace with just seven games left to play in the ongoing campaign.
Billed as hosts on the day in front of the expectant crowd in Tsakane, the Bucs Reserves sought to overturn their winless run over their last two matches as they came up against their Amakhosi counterparts, who went into the fixture unbeaten in their five most recent outings.
It was the visitors who were the more positive of the two sides during the early exchanges but only had a disallowed goal to show for their efforts as clear-cut chances at goal proved scarce at both ends. This came just before the half-hour mark when Bucs keeper Zoey Monyepao parried a long-range shot into the path of Siphesihlle Tati, who found the net from an offside position.
Pirates remained starved of chances until late in the first half, when Mohau Nkota attempted to spark something from his right flank by cutting inside to shoot but misfired twice in quick succession as he sent both his attempts over the crossbar.
A similar result greeted captain Kgwadi Molepo at the start of the second half when he pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the box before skying his effort.
The home side continued to enjoy an elongated period inside opposition territory, but could not conjure up any real opportunities in the face of a committed defensive effort from their rivals.
The deadlock was broken at the other end just after the hour mark when Zolani Cossa went direct from a free kick and succeeded in evading the diving Monyepao to put his side ahead.
This spurred the visitors on as they went in search of their second just moments later through captain Kgaogelo Ramushu, who fired narrowly off target with his shot from range.
The wait for their second was a brief one as they doubled their lead following a defensive mishap from the Bucs Reserves, who allowed a turnover of possession inside their half before Naledi Hlongwane slotted home to make it 2-0.
Pirates’ search for their opening goal was devoid of any real opportunities until late in injury time when Siphamandla Mdunge was brought down right in front of the Chiefs goal.
Defender Lonwabo Magugwana was handed the responsibility of converting the set piece, and his low effort evaded the wall only to be kept out by goalkeeper Lungile Nkosi.
That was the closest the Buccaneers would come to finding the net throughout the contest, with Amakhosi hanging on to claim all three points in the Soweto Derby.
Pirates Reserves XI: Monyepao, Magugwana, Modiba, Mdunge, Mohlala, Molepo, Dansin, Nkota (Arends 74’), Masemola (Nzimande 82’), Matrose (Ngobeni 60’), Maphumulo.
