Mbuyane Sees Bucs Past Leopards

15 February 2012

ABSA Premiership

Teams: Pirates v Leopard

Date: 15 February

Venue: Orlando Stadium

An early goal from Thulasizwe Mbuyane proved to be enough as Orlando Pirates got their season back up and running with a 1-0 win over Black Leopards at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday.

Pirates got off to a flying start and Siyabonga Sangweni should have put them in the lead just moments in when Benni McCarthy flicked a delightful ball over the top to find his run, but after controlling the ball on his chest, he missed his volley as the goalkeeper gathered the ball.

It would not matter too much though as Thulasizwe Mbuyane would bury a powerful header in the seventh minute to put the hosts ahead. Bheki Nzunga curled a sublime cross in from the right and Mbuyane found the top corner via the hand of Posnett Omony.

Despite the ferocious start, the match slowly started to get bogged down in midfield with both sides showing some signs of rust from the lengthy break.

Leopards were completely toothless upfront in the half with Senzo Meyiwa not called on to make a save. The visitors were tough in defence though and put in a number of crunching tackles.

Ndumiso Mabena tried to double their tally in the 45 minutes but saw his strike soar over the bar as the Sea Robbers went into the break with a 1-0 lead.

Pirates were looking tired after the break and both sides were struggling to produce a killer ball in the final third. Mbuyane had a cross deflected out of his path at the vital moment, while Leopards were forced to attempt shots from distance.

Rodney Ramagalela, who came on just after the break, proved to make a difference for the visitors and cause some trouble for the Bucs defence but he was still unable to get through.

Adidas adizero f50 moment:

The decisive moment of the match came in the seventh minute of the game when Thulasizwe Mbuyane rifled a header into the top corner off of a magnificent cross from Bheki Nzunga. The goal helped Pirates settle in the match and proved to be enough to get them the spoils.

Pirates: Senzo Meyiwa, Rooi Mahamutsa, Siyabonga Sangweni, Bheki Nzunga, Lucky Lekgwathi, Andile Jali, Daine Klate, Tshumayelo Thandani, Thulasizwe Mbuyane (Luis Boa Morte 89'), Benni McCarthy, Ndumiso Mabena (Manqana Ngabulo 75').

Leopards: Posnett Omony, Taaibos Kleinbooi (Rodney Ramagalela 48'), Nkosiyabo Xakane, Siphiwe Mkhonza, Moses Kwena, Mahlatse Maake, Itumeleng Duiker, Luyolo Mapolisa, Samuel Mabunda, Benedict Vilakazi (Humphrey Khoza 48'), Kinston Nkhatha.

Goals: Thulasizwe Mbuyane (Pirates, 7')