Written by Shihaam IsaacsSouth Africa sports betting writer
Published 4 November 2026
Orlando Pirates claimed a crucial 2-1 victory over fierce Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon, securing their seventh consecutive league win and cementing their position at the sharp end of the Betway Premiership title race.
Goals from Yanela Mbuthuma and Tshepang Moremi either side of a Pule Mmodi equaliser handed the Buccaneers maximum points in a fast-paced derby that delivered drama until the final whistle. The victory leaves Kaizer Chiefs 11 points off the Betway Premiership summit after nine rounds of the season, extending Amakhosi’s winless streak in the league to four matches.
A deflected opener and a Chaine error
Chiefs carved out the first clear chance inside the opening quarter of an hour when Mduduzi Shabalala threaded a neat pass to Wandile Duba, only for Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine to produce a sharp point-blank stop. However, Pirates punished their rivals on their first meaningful break in the 24th minute.
Thapelo Mokobodi floated a ball over the top of the defence for Mbuthuma, whose low drive from the right took a heavy deflection off defender Thabo Moloisane before looping over Brandon Petersen into the net.
Chiefs responded within six minutes through an uncharacteristic blunder from Chaine. Mfundo Vilakazi delivered a low cross from the right flank that slipped through the Pirates keeper’s grasp, allowing Mmodi to pounce on the loose ball and squeeze home the equaliser from close range. Chiefs almost took the lead moments before the interval when Vilakazi’s deflected strike clipped the top of the crossbar.
Moremi restores the lead
The decisive blow arrived ten minutes into the second half. Mokobodi broke through against Petersen and squared the ball across the face of goal for Moremi, who tapped in from close range to restore Pirates’ lead.
Pirates pushed hard to extend their cushion in the closing stages. Moremi clipped the woodwork from a narrow angle, substitute Oswin Appollis had an effort ruled out for offside, and Evidence Makgopa fired over from inside the box. Any lingering hopes of a late Chiefs fightback ended in stoppage time when defender Inacio Miguel received a second yellow card and was sent off.
A break before late November
The Betway Premiership now heads into a brief recess before returning in late November, when Orlando Pirates host Golden Arrows and Kaizer Chiefs travel to face Chippa United.
