A first-half Bernard Parker goal was enough to give Kaizer Chiefs a well deserved 1-0 Carling Black Label Cup victory over old enemies, Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday.
Chiefs started the brightest with central defender Lorenzo Godinho being denied by the woodwork while Parker was denied by goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane in the seventh minute.
Then Gustavo Paez made a beautiful diagonal run before squaring the ball to Parker who shot his side to the lead in the nineteenth minute and what turned out to be the winner.
Pirates struggled to get back in the game and the likes of Oupa Manyisa, Luvuyo Memela, Issa Sarr and Mpho Makola were easily dispossessed whenever they had the ball as the Chiefs midfielders dictated the pace of the game in the first half.
The entire first half, Pirates did not trouble Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune except for one tame shot by Thamsanqa Gabuza.
Chiefs almost doubled their lead when the ever-impressive George Maluleka hit the woodwork in the 44th minute with Mpontshane beaten.
The second half proved to be more competitive as the Buccaneers piled on the pressure in search of the equaliser.
Amakhosi sat back and played on counter which allowed the Sea Robbers to have more of the ball.
The introduction of fresh legs also helped Pirates in the second half but for all its ball possession, it failed to convert it into goals.
Second half substitute Bernard Morrison forced a good one-handed save from Khune deep in the second half.
With Saturday's win, Chiefs have now won the pre-season friendly three times while Pirates have lifted it four times since its inception.
Chiefs edge Pirates in Carling Black Label Cup
Chiefs started the brightest with central defender Lorenzo Godinho being denied by the woodwork while Parker was denied by goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane in the seventh minute.
Then Gustavo Paez made a beautiful diagonal run before squaring the ball to Parker who shot his side to the lead in the nineteenth minute and what turned out to be the winner.
Pirates struggled to get back in the game and the likes of Oupa Manyisa, Luvuyo Memela, Issa Sarr and Mpho Makola were easily dispossessed whenever they had the ball as the Chiefs midfielders dictated the pace of the game in the first half.
The entire first half, Pirates did not trouble Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune except for one tame shot by Thamsanqa Gabuza.
Chiefs almost doubled their lead when the ever-impressive George Maluleka hit the woodwork in the 44th minute with Mpontshane beaten.
The second half proved to be more competitive as the Buccaneers piled on the pressure in search of the equaliser.
Amakhosi sat back and played on counter which allowed the Sea Robbers to have more of the ball.
The introduction of fresh legs also helped Pirates in the second half but for all its ball possession, it failed to convert it into goals.
Second half substitute Bernard Morrison forced a good one-handed save from Khune deep in the second half.
With Saturday's win, Chiefs have now won the pre-season friendly three times while Pirates have lifted it four times since its inception.
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