Pirates Claim Telkom Knockout Glory

10 December 2011

Telkom Knockout

Date: 10 December 2011

Teams: Wits - Orlando Pirates

Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium

Orlando Pirates claimed Telkom Knockout glory for the first time as they outclassed Wits 3-1
at a wet and windy Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening.

An early strike from Thulasizwe Mabuyane gave The Sea Robbers the lead going into the break, but Sifiso Myeni levelled matters before Daine Klate and Isaac Chansa put the finishing touches on the match.

It took all of three minutes for the opening goal to come as Benni McCarthy picked up the ball on the left and passed it on to Klate. The winger patiently drew the Wits defence and passed across the face of goal to an unmarked Mabuyane who slotted the ball home with ease.

Pirates should have been two goals to the good on 11 minutes when Ndumiso found himself with a clear path towards goal after collecting a pin-point long ball. The midfielder did all the hard work as he rounded Wits keeper Energy Murambadoro, but inexplicably pushed his shot wide.

Amongst the noise of a packed stadium, Klate failed to hear the whistle 15 minutes later and played on by putting the ball in the net after Mabuyane was ruled offside. To add insult to the winger's visible disappointment, he was shown the yellow card.

With ten minutes left to play in the half McCarthy  found himself one-on-one with the keeper after some more mediocre Wits defending. The striker, however, had a tight angle to work with and sent the ball well wide of Murambadoro's goal. 

Wits had a glorious opportunity to level matters just before the break when Sifiso Vilakazi got his head on the end of Patrick Phungwayo's cross. The ball looked destined for the net as Josephs gave up his attempt at a save, but much to the relief of the Pirates keeper, the ball flew inches wide of the post.

The Students started the second half with their intentions clear and should have equalised on 49 minutes when Lehlohonolo Masalesa crossed into the area to Vilakazi, but the striker faced huge pressure from the Pirates defence and shot wide of the post.

Sifiso Myeni did finally get the equaliser for The Clever Boys when a long ball was headed on by Sifiso Vilakazi toward Myeni who buried the ball between Josephs' legs and into the back of the net. He could have had a second a few minutes later when his speculative cross appeared to be going out, but dipped onto the crossbar much to the surprise and relief of Josephs.

With 19 minutes to play Pirates were back in front in sensational fashion as Klate made his mark on the game by cutting back inside the defence and unleashing a furious shot which beat Murambadoro at the near post.

The Buccaneers sealed the match with eight minutes to play when Tlou Segolela did some brilliant work down the left and crossed to Chansa who banged the third goal home from close range.

Segolela had a fantastic chance for a fourth as he found himself one-on-one with Murambadoro, but the keeper did well to deny the goal.

Adidas adizero f50 moment:

Members of the crowd were still taking their seats when Pirates unlocked the Wits defence in the third minute. Daine Klate was the key man as he jinxed The Clever Boys defence and crossed to an open Thulasizwe Mbuyane. Wits keeper Energy Murambadoro was left stranded with too much space to cover and Mbuyane was able to pick his spot and score the coveted opening goal.

Orlando Pirates: Moeneeb Josephs, Lucky Lekgwathi, Rooi Mahamutsa, Siyabonga Sangweni, Ruben Cloete, Isaac Chansa, Andile Jali, Ndumiso Mabena (Oupa Manyisa 58’), Daine Klate, Benni McCarthy (Tokelo Rantie, 89’), Thulasizwe Mbuyane (Tlou Segolela, 78’). Subs not used: Senzo Myiwa, Benson Mhlongo, Bheki Nzunga, Cyril Mashego.

Wits: Energy Murumbadoro, Sipho Mngomezulu, Siboniso Gumede, Mbulelo Mabizela, Patrick Phungwayo, Sibusiso Vilakazi (Bongolethu Jayiya, 79’), Sandile Sibande, Lehlohonolo Masalesa (Asive Langwe 64’), Sifiso Vilakazi, Ryan Chapman (Enrico Adolph, 86’), Sifiso Myeni (capt). Subs not used: Steve Hoffman, Kampamba Chintu, Katlego Pule, Brad Phillips.

Goals: Thulasizwe Mabuyane (Pirates, 3’), Sifiso Myeni (Wits, 64’), Daine Klate (Pirates, 71’), Isaac Chansa (Pirates, 82’).