KAIZER Chiefs defeated archrivals Orlando Pirates 2-1 at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon to complete a DStv Premiership ‘double’ in the Soweto derby this season.

Having beaten the Buccaneers by the same score-line at FNB Stadium back in November, the Amakhosi claimed victory this time around thanks to goals from Reeve Frosler and Eric Mathoho.

The result sees Chiefs move into second place and open a three-point advantage over fourth-placed Pirates in the race to finish ‘best of the rest’ behind runaway leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

The teams cancelled each other out for the opening quarter hour, before Chiefs threatened the opening goal via a fine cross from Bernard Parker which was just beyond the long reach of Eric Mathoho.

The Amakhosi then claimed the lead in the 18th minute, with Khama Billiat and Bernard Parker doing well to tee up Frosler to strike home a beautiful shot from just outside the box, with his swerving effort too powerful for goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane to keep out.

Pirates almost came up with an immediate reply as Thembinkosi Lorch crossed from the right to pick out Kwame Peprah, but the striker put his effort just the wrong side of the near post.

The Ghanaian had another chance a few minutes after the half-hour mark, cutting inside from the left to get away a low shot from the edge of the box, but Brandon Petersen made a comfortable save.

By this stage Pirates were making most of the play and pushing for an equaliser, with Peprah getting onto an excellent cross from Deon Hotto to net with a diving header in the 39th minute – but the offside flag ruled out his effort.

Chiefs also suffered an injury blow at the same time, with Billiat withdrawn with what seemed to be a hamstring strain, and midfielder Kearyn Baccus came off the bench to take his place.

The half-time interval arrived with the team in gold and black enjoying a 1-0 lead, though the Buccaneers had seen plenty of the ball and shown enough in attack to suggest that the match remained very much in the balance.

Both teams opted for changes at the start of the second half, with Pirates swopping out Ben Motshwari for Abel Mabaso in midfield, while Chiefs withdrew Lebogang Manyama and introduced Leonardo Castro to give them a more conventional spearhead in attack.

The team in black and white drew level on 54 minutes, with a quick counter attack seeing Lorch put Thabang Monare in in goal: the midfielder’s effort from the left of the penalty area had the beating of Petersen and may well have gone in, but Peprah was on hand to tap home from close range – albeit with a strong suggestion of offside – to make it 1-1.