The Soweto Derby ended in controversy as Orlando Pirates secured a 1-0 victory over Kaizer Chiefs with a last-minute penalty decision that sparked fierce debate.

In a match that had everything from fierce battles to heated debates, Orlando Pirates edged past Kaizer Chiefs with a dramatic 1-0 victory in the Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

But it wasn’t the quality of football that stole the headlines—it was a highly controversial last-minute penalty that left Chiefs fans furious and Pirates supporters celebrating.

With the game locked in a tense goalless battle deep into second-half stoppage time, Relebohile Mofokeng found himself charging into the Chiefs’ penalty area. As he shaped up for a shot, he appeared to come under pressure from Njabulo Blom.

The 20-year-old winger sent his effort wide, and Kaizer Chiefs’ goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma pumped his fists in celebration, believing his team had survived a late scare.

But then came the moment that changed everything—referee Masixole Bambiso blew his whistle and pointed to the spot.

Shock rippled through the stadium. Chiefs players swarmed the referee in protest, while Pirates seized the opportunity.

Patrick Maswanganyi stepped up to take the crucial penalty, exuding calmness as he cheekily chipped the ball straight down the middle while Bvuma dived to his left.

The ball hit the back of the net, and just like that, Pirates had snatched all three points in the most dramatic fashion possible.

Replays of the incident showed there might have been minimal contact, possibly a slight jersey tug from Blom, but nothing that appeared conclusive enough for such a game-changing decision.

The debate erupted instantly. Had Bambiso made the right call, or had Chiefs been robbed of a crucial point in one of South Africa’s biggest football fixtures?

Kaizer Chiefs’ head coach Nasreddine Nabi, clearly frustrated, addressed the incident in his post-match interview, saying through a translator, “We think that we were good in the game.

Unfortunately, the last-minute penalty was a little controversial. Overall, we are happy with the performance of the team and all the players. We expected to get more from this game.

” His disappointment was evident, and the reaction from the Chiefs’ camp reflected the anger felt by their supporters.

On the other side, Orlando Pirates’ coach Jose Riveiro had no doubt about the outcome. “I think it’s three points well deserved,” he stated. “We had clear chances, especially in the second half.

These games are usually tight, not really beautiful football, not usually many chances.” For Pirates, the result was all that mattered, and they walked away knowing they had secured a crucial win in the league.

The Soweto Derby has always been a fixture that delivers drama, and this edition was no different. Fans left the stadium with contrasting emotions—some jubilant, others enraged—but all knowing they had just witnessed a game that will be talked about for years to come.

The penalty decision will be analyzed, debated, and scrutinized, but the record books will show that Pirates took the victory.

As the dust settles on this chaotic encounter, the focus now shifts to what lies ahead. Chiefs will feel they have a point to prove, while Pirates will look to build on their momentum.

But one thing is certain: the echoes of this Derby, and the controversial penalty that decided it, will not fade anytime soon.