Pirates End 2011 With A Win

21 December 2011

ABSA Premiership

Date: 21 December 2011

Result: Orlando Pirates 2-0 Golden Arrows

Venue: Orlando Stadium

Referee: Zolile Mthetho

Orlando Pirates buried their chances as they claimed a 2-0 win over Golden Arrows at the Orlando Stadium to finish 2011 on a high.

The first-half was a scrappy affair with both sides struggling to create decent opportunities in the final third.

Thulasizwe Mbuyane sent a header harmlessly over the crossbar in the area while Isaac Chansa saw a shot saved by Cedric Gumede.

Joseph Musonda tried to respond at the other end but saw his long-range effort go wide as the match remained locked at 0-0 at the break.

There was a little more urgency after the interval and the Sea Robbers threatened to take the lead when Oupa Manyise charged at goal but his shot from the edge of the area went just wide.

Thamsanqa Gabuza should have put Arrows ahead moments later when he was picked out by a beautiful cross from Thanduyise Khuboni but he side-footed the chance wide when it looked easier to score.

The visitors would then be punished when a sweeping from Pirates put them ahead. Chansa stormed through the midfield before picking out Daine Klate on the left who then returned the ball to Chansa via a sublime cross which was nodded into the bottom corner.

Siyabonga Nkosi sliced a volley over the bar as Arrows tried to find an equaliser before Moeneeb Josephs showed just why he is the first-choice goalkeeper with a phenomenal save to keep out a fierce free-kick from Dillon Sheppard.

The hosts would again make Arrows pay for their wastefulness when Tokelo Rantie beat the offside trap to get onto the end of Klate's free-kick and slid the ball home.

Arrows refused to give in though and it took another great save from Josephs to ensure that Pirates kept their clean sheet.

Adidas adizero f50 moment:

It was tough to pick a specific moment as Isaac Chansa's goal was superb but the unbelievable save from Moeneeb Josephs stood out. Josephs flung himself across goal to get his arm in front of a curling free-kick from Sheppard which was destined for the top corner. At the time, Pirates were only 1-0 ahead and a goal from Arrows could have changed the flow of the game.

Pirates: Moeneeb Josephs, Rooi Mahamutsa, Siyabonga Sangweni, Bheki Nzunga, Lucky Lekgwathi, Isaac Chansa, Oupa Manyisa, Andile Jali (Benson Mhlongo 95'), Daine Klate, Thulasizwe Mbuyane (Clifford Ngobeni 88'), Benni McCarthy (Tokelo Rantie 59').

Arrows: Cedric Gumede, Joseph Musonda, Musa Bilankulu, Siyanda Zwane, Philani Shange (Jabulani Nene 57'), Msekeli Mvalo, Elrio van Heerden (Siyabonga Nkosi 70'), Thanduyise Khuboni, Collins Mbesuma (Katlego Mashego 79'), Dillon Sheppard, Thamsanqa Gabuza.

Goals: Isaac Chansa (Orlando Pirates 61'), Tokelo Rantie (83')