Chiefs romp home to 2-0 victory over Pirates in derby
HAPA CHINI▼▼
HAPA CHINI▼▼
Earlier
their Under-17s had been defeated 1-0 by Pirates in the semifinal of a junior
tournament at Marks Park in Emmarentia. Mulomowandau Mathoho (58th minute) and
substitute Lewis Macha’s (95th) strikes in the Carling Black Label Cup at
packed FNB Stadium earned Chiefs a 2-0 win‚ bragging rights‚ and Steve Komphela
and his men some confidence ahead of the coach’s follow-up to his first
trophy-less season.
Pirates‚
like the huge EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters) banner that was towed round the
stadium by a helicopter repeatedly‚ were swept in the wind.
Apart
from some late moments‚ Bucs were nowhere. Clearly Komphela’s side are at a
more advanced stage of their preparations for the August 23 kickoff of the
Premier League season. Muhsin Ertugral has work to do. The jury is out on the
new deep role Bucs’ coach has said he intends for Tendai Ndoro playing in
tandem with Thamsanqa Gabuza as a centre-forward.
Ndoro
– so effective running off defenders’ shoulders last season – looked lost
coming back for the ball. He would be better served hunting for scraps next to
the cantering Gabuza. Chiefs were far sharper in attack‚ Bernard Parker
providing telling passes and linking excellently with the forward line.
Ertugral
would have realised from a patchy defence that a back four resembling last
season’s – Happy Jele‚ Edwin Gyimah‚ Ayanda Gcaba and Thabo Matlaba – will
benefit from the introduction of an intelligent centreback such as Abbubaker
Mobara.
Chiefs
probed the strongest from the start though initially rustiness showed with
stray passes. There had been no chances after half an hour‚ but then William
Twala got a drive close to Pirates’ goal in the 31st.
A
period of pressure followed that saw Willard Katsande have the ball in the net‚
but Bucs goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo was adjudged fouled. Hendrick Ekstein could
not scramble past Mhlongo. Twala shot wide and Ekstein tested Mhlongo as Chiefs
continued to push from the break. Thamsanqa Gabuza could not connect a header
with just Itumeleng Khune to beat from Thabo Rakhale’s cross in a rare
half-chance for Pirates. Parker might not have been able to get on the
scoresheet. But Chiefs’ most important forward‚ a notable underachiever last
season‚ would have enjoyed his touch of magic that set up his side’s deserved
opener.
Parker
turned just outside the area and crashed a drive onto the crossbar. Centreback
Mathoho scooped in a forward’s volley from the rebound. Chiefs now‚ and Parker
particularly‚ ran rampant‚ the striker feeding in Tsepo Masilela to hit the
side-netting‚ then shooting over the bar. Khune’s save from Ndoro and Mathoho’s
clearance from Bernard Morrison preserved Chiefs’ lead. Bucs had a convincing
added-time penalty appeal turned down for a foul on Morisson. But Macha nodded
in Twala’s cross to make it 2-0
HAPA CHINI▼▼
During its two year run, the project will award approximately 100 major reporting grants and provide mentoring to support the best ideas for stories on development issues. Journalists who produce the best stories published or broadcasted in media that reach African audiences, will win a major international reporting trip. During its two year run, the project will award approximately 100 major reporting grants and provide mentoring to support the best ideas for stories on development issues. Journalists who produce the best stories published or broadcasted in media that reach African audiences, will win a major international reporting trip.
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