The Soweto Derby has been dubbed ‘drawby’ in recent years, but that moniker should no longer apply.
Four goals in Orlando Pirates’ 3-1 victory over Kaizer Chiefs in March was followed by the Buccaneers’ 2-1 triumph over the Amakhosi last Saturday.
And considering the recent history of a lack of goals in this fixture, the players who find the back of the net should savour the moment – better still if it’s the winning strike.
That is exactly the emotion going through Vincent Pule at the moment. The Pirates star finished off the decisive move when Chiefs defender Mario Booysen was unable to clear the ball properly from the box.
In a flash, Justin Shonga found Augustine Mulenga, who squared the ball for Pule to score and secure bragging rights in Soweto and a crucial three points.
“It was a special moment to score a derby goal. I will definitely remember this one for a very long time,” Pule told the Orlando Pirates website.
“We have all grown up watching this game, and it has always been a dream to play in it, so having that chance and also scoring and winning the game made it a great weekend for me.
“Shonga’s inside pass to Mulenga was very good, and in that position, we all know how dangerous Mulenga can be. He’s such a clever player.
“When Khune came out and Mulenga picked the pass, I was in the right place at the right time for the finish. It was a nice finish to a great build-up.”
☠ And that's a wrap! #Buccaneers, thank you 🙏🏽🙅🏽♀️🙅🏾♂️❤ On to the next one 😎
🎙 Man of the Match: Augustine Mulenga
🎙 Goalscorer: Vincent Pule
⚫⚪🔴⭐ #SowetoDerby #OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/NOXGEikdq3
— Orlando Pirates FC (@orlandopirates) October 27, 2018
Chiefs took the lead through Khama Billiat, who benefited from an error by goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane in the 15th minute.
But it was Pirates left back Innocent Maela who began the comeback, rising high to head the ball from Shonga’s corner past Itumeleng Khune in the 28th minute, before Pule scored a few minutes later.
“We practice the movements when attacking a corner, and there are areas that we know Shonga and Pule will hit when they deliver. I moved into one of the channels and managed to get my head on to the ball,” Maela told the Pirates website.
“I don’t score a lot of headers because of the way I play. Normally the chances I get are with my feet, so naturally I’m very happy that I was able to contribute with my header.
☠ Ticket to the #SowetoDerby= R70
📺 Watching the #SowetoDerby= R99
🔊 The @orlandopirates Rumble in The Tunnel before winning the #SowetoDerby= PRICELESS!
⚫⚪🔴⭐ #OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/dFFdN8OTdG
— Orlando Pirates FC (@orlandopirates) October 28, 2018
“There is so much pressure in derby games because of the expectation of the fans, so to score in such a big game is very encouraging.
“We now need to build on this result and that momentum, we need to keep winning and doing well for the fans.”
Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic’s team are back on the pitch on Saturday, when they face AmaZulu in the Telkom Knockout quarter-final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban (6pm kickoff).
@ashfakmohamed