Amakhosi will feel they let two points slip after doing much of the hard work, but the result still keeps them in third place on the table as they push for a top-three finish and a return to CAF inter-club football. The Glamour Boys won’t have long to dwell on it, though, with a tricky midweek trip to Siwelele FC looming.

For the Buccaneers, it’s a point that could prove vital in the bigger picture. They remain at the summit of the standings, two points clear of Mamelodi Sundowns, although their title rivals still have two games in hand.

Kick-off was delayed by 45 minutes due to a late surge of supporters as fans were desperate to get tickets for the iconic showpiece, albeir the derby was sold-out more than three weeks ago.

Chiefs burst out of the blocks, showing early intent and energy, but Pirates weathered the storm and gradually found their rhythm. The first real flashpoint came in the 22nd minute when goalkeeper Brandon Petersen raced off his line to produce a superb close-range save, denying Yanela Mbuthuma and keeping his side on level terms.

Petersen, clearly in the mood and chasing what would have been his 14th clean sheet of the campaign, produced another moment of brilliance just before the break. He flung himself across goal to keep out a powerful effort from Kamogelo Sebelebele in the 42nd minute, ensuring the sides went into the interval deadlocked.

After halftime, Chiefs stepped up a gear and began to dictate proceedings. Their breakthrough arrived just after the hour mark, and it was worth the wait. Wandile Duba showed blistering pace to slice through the Pirates defence before squaring for Pule Mmodi, who kept his composure to tuck home his first Soweto Derby goal and give Amakhosi a deserved 1-0 lead.

But as is so often the case in this famous fixture, the momentum swung once again. Pirates threw numbers forward in search of an equaliser, turning up the heat in the closing stages. Their persistence paid off with 15 minutes remaining when Sebelebele reacted quickest inside the box, pouncing on a rebound after Petersen had parried a low strike, to level matters at 1-1.

In the end, neither side could find a winner, and the spoils were shared in front of a buzzing Soweto Derby crowd — another chapter added to one of South African football’s fiercest rivalries.

On Wednesday, Siwelele FC, will face Chiefs in Bloemfontein, with this game at the Toyota Stadium kicking off at 19:30.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport