Soweto Derby: Five Best Moments Including Patrick Maswanganyi, Thembinkosi Lorch

• Patrick Maswanganyi was a standout performer for Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby
• Thembinkosi Lorch was influential as the Buccaneers broke Amakhosi's winning streak
• Pirates had not recorded a win in the derby since 2021 but earned the victory this time

The skull and bones will fly over Soweto for the foreseeable future.

A near-capacity FNB Stadium beat to the drum of the biggest match south of the Limpopo River, creating an atmosphere to rival any footballing stage.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, CAF President Patrice Motsepe, and refereeing legend Pierluigi Collina were among the dignitaries gracing the arena with their presence.

In the stands were the fanatical Soweto crowd who brought out an array of props and paraphernalia to cheer on their heroes.

Some players rose to the occasion while others were stagnant. Sports Brief looks at five highlights from the 179th Soweto Derby.

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1. Evidence Makgopa's yellow card

The match was physically demanding thanks to the searing heat, but also the aggression and determination from the players.

Evidence Makgopa picked up one of the quickest yellow cards of a derby when he was booked for raking his studs down the ankle of a Kaizer Chiefs defender in the first minute.

If the VAR was in play, there would have been a distinct possibility of that card being a different hue of colour, altering the course of the tie.

2. Patrick Maswanganyi's skill

Patrick Maswanganyi grew into the game and by the second half had the fans eating out of his hands.

Tito orchestrated much of Pirates' attacks with slick one-twos and when given space, was confident in pulling out his tricks.

Diski means flair and Maswanganyi demonstrated plenty of it as he walked away with the Player of the Match award.

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3. Thembinkosi Lorch skinning Ox Mthethwa

Sibongiseni 'Ox' Mthethwa was hailed by Chiefs fans as being their 'midfield destroyer' but the derby was not his best day.

Barring the first 15 minutes of the second half, he was given the runaround by his Pirates counterparts.

His day was summed up on the edge of his penalty area when attempting to close down Thembinkosi Lorch, the Pirates maestro left Ox flat-footed as he danced easily into space.

4. Melusi Buthelezi's fingertip save

Ranga Chivaviro provided little threat on the floor but Edson Castillo was gaining some advantage in the air.

With Pirates trying to close the game out, Castillo rose tall and nodded one towards the bottom corner. Melusi Buthelezi flung himself to his left getting the tips of his gloves to the ball to tip it onto the post.

The keeper had been a bystander for much of the match, but when he was needed, he did his defenders proud.

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5. Evidence Makgopa's goal

The only thing that matters is the scoreline and a Pirates trio delivered the moment of the match.

Miguel Timm delivered an inch-perfect diagonal to the back post, where early substitute, Bandile Shandu cushioned a pass between Itumeleng Khune and his backline for Makgopa to tap in past a scrambling defence.

Questions may be asked of an ageing Khune who reacted instead of anticipating, but the precision from Pirates was the defining theme of the afternoon.

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Kaizer Motaung into Hall of Fame

Sports Brief also previously reported on Kaizer Motaung's Hall of Fame induction recently.

Chincha Guluva's long overdue recognition came almost a month after his 79th birthday.

The Soweto Derby was meant to be an occasion to honour the man by Chiefs but fell short.