ORLANDO Pirates claimed Carling Black Label Cup bragging rights as they triumphed over Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 on July 27, at FNB Stadium in the South (NASREC).
The two local Southern giants renewed their rivalry in an epic curtain-raiser of the 2019/2020 Premier Soccer League (PSL) season, which allows supporters to select their starting line-up and make substitutions.
In front of a sold-out crowd, the Glamour boys made their presence felt in the first 10 minutes of the match. The side from the Naturena Village looked as if they will grab an early lead dominating the proceedings in the middle of the park pressing hard towards the Buccaneers goals and not allowing them to connect their passes.
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Pirates regrouped themselves and started to take the game to Chiefs using their left flank causing all sorts of problems to Chiefs right-back Ramahlwe Mphahlele.
Pirates inter-passing paid off as Thembinkosi Lorch capitalised on Chiefs’ slopping mistake at the back in front of goals taking a hard low shot which hit the woodwork but Augustine Mulenga took full advantage in capitalising on a rebound to hand Rand Stadium-based team the lead.
It seemed as Chiefs would hit right back as they kept on probing forward throwing in diagonal balls hoping to trouble the stubborn defence of Pirates and it nearly went their way as Mphahlele crossed a perfect low hard cross but new recruit Lazarous Kambole wasted the opportunity putting it over the bar.
On the halfway mark Chiefs was made to pay for missing their chances as Lorch doubled Pirates lead with a top-notch strike.
The teams went to the dressing room with Pirates leading 2-0.
Chiefs started the second stanza with much intent. Whatever was said to them during the break worked as they dominated Pirates. But yet again it was Pirates who looked the more organised in the midfield and on attack they had no match. Pirates goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands was ever so solid at the back and he gave Pirates that extra calmness to proceed towards the other side of the pitch.
Both teams introduced new substitutes but Chiefs was the most menacing side trying to pull one back. Khama Billat worked himself inside the 18-yard and stroked a low shot and Pirates show-stopper Sandilands puffed the ball away into Kambole’s boots but again the strike fumbled the chance.
Pirates took full honours in this much-anticipated match between the two rival clubs and according to the head coach, Milutin Sredojević, the team is looking forward to the new season which starts in August. Ernst Middendorp was disappointed in the performance of his team and said that they are still lacking to put the goals away, but his team will step up to regain their visibility in the new season.
Starting line-up
Pirates: Sandilands, Dube, Jele, Chabalala, Maela, Lorch, Motshwari, Memela, Pule, Shonga and Mulenga.
Chiefs: Bvuma, Mphahlele, Gordinho, Cardoso, Mathoho, Ntshangase, Katsande, Zuma, Billiat, Parker and Kambole.
