Orlando Pirates coach bemoans “thuggish behaviour” after loss to Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates dished out another classic Soweto Derby, but the manner in which the two sides came to a result left a lot to be desired, according Buccaneers coach, Rhulani Mokwena.

Kaizer Chiefs 3-2 Orlando Pirates

The Glamour Boys bagged a second consecutive victory in South Africa’s biggest fixture, this time in a more straightforward manner, running off 3-2 winners at FNB Stadium to bag three more points to cement their spot at the top of the league standings. 

According to the Buccaneers coach, the game was ruined by a bit of rough play from the opposition.

Speaking to Supersport TV the 32-year-old held nothing back in expressing what he termed “thuggish behaviour”, which he felt helped Chiefs to another three points in what has been a fruitful season for them.

“You can only be proud of these Orlando Pirates players,” he said “But, having said that, I’m extremely disappointed that such a great spectacle is ruined by such thuggish behaviour. “It’s okay to lose! Okay, let’s lose. But don’t punch my player’s. I got players that were kicked, punched in the face. I mean, what do you say to these things? It’s thuggish behaviour!”

Rhulani Mokwena

How Amakhosi won the Soweto Derby 

Chiefs got ahead early on in the Soweto derby through a stroke of luck, when a lack of commitment between captain Ntsikelelo Nyauza and goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands resulted in an early own goal from the former.

The required recovery did not immediately produce result, but only at the other end, where Leonardo Castro Amakhosi’s lead.

A free kick earned by Orlando Pirates pulled them back into the encounter at half time, as Vincent Pule’s free kick halved the deficit.

Things were soon level as Gabadinho Mhango scored his second goal in as many derbies.

However, a late penalty contended by the Buccaneers gave Kaizer Chiefs a chance, and Daniel Cardoso bagged his third derby goal in three competitive fixtures between the two sides.

Orlando Pirates have a home league game against Polokwane City up next, while Kaizer Chiefs take on Maritzburg United in the Telkom Knockout semifinals before resuming Premiership duties with a clash against PSL newcomers, Stellenbosch FC.