The Orlando Pirates secure victory over Kaizer Chiefs with a cheeky Panenka penalty
In a thrilling match at FNB Stadium, Patrick Maswanganyi sealed a 1-0 victory for Orlando Pirates against their arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs. The decisive moment came late in the game when a penalty was awarded to the Buccaneers after Njabulo Blom was deemed to have fouled Relebohile Mofokeng inside the box.
Maswanganyi, with nerves of steel, stepped up to take the penalty and executed a perfectly timed Panenka, leaving Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma rooted to the spot. The audacious finish sparked celebrations among the Pirates fans and players, securing a crucial win in the fierce Soweto derby.
Both coaches, Jose Riveiro of Orlando Pirates and Nasreddine Nabi of Kaizer Chiefs, were reluctant to comment on the penalty incident post-match. Riveiro, when asked about the penalty, stated, “Not really. I watched now on the bench in the monitor, it’s difficult to say, I’m not going to say anything, but if the referee says it’s a penalty in extra-time, it must be very clear.”
Nabi, on the other hand, expressed his frustration with the refereeing decisions, saying, “I’m not going to talk anymore about this type of referee. You will see in your studio if it was a penalty or not. If I talk, red card. If I ask him how is your family, a red card. If I ask, how are you, red card.”
The intensity of the Soweto derby was captured in Maswanganyi’s Panenka finish, a moment that will be remembered by fans for years to come. The victory for Orlando Pirates cements their position as one of the top teams in South African football and sets the stage for more exciting encounters in the future.
Video credit: Clinton Jones – The Citizen sports editor
