Stars Stun The Sea Robbers
13 November 2011
OR Tambo Soccer Challenge
Date: 14 November 2011
Result: Platinum Stars 2-1 Orlando Pirates
Venue: Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace
Referee: Robert Sithole
Hosts Platinum Stars defied the odds to beat Orlando Pirates 2-1 and win the inaugural OR Tambo Soccer Challenge at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace this afternoon.
A mistake from stand-in centre back Vusi Mthimkulu almost gifted the hosts with the perfect start, allowing Terence Mandaza in on goal.The Zimbabwean, who scored against Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-final,could not beat Senzo Meyiwa.
Thuso Phala beat Pirates right-back Njabulo Ntusi all ends up but Meyiwa was out quickly to smother the danger as Stars had the best of the early running. Starlet Takelo Rantie was full of movement but his enthusiasm was not matched by any incisive action. The 21-year-old did however set up Dikgang Mabalane for a bouncing strike across the face of goal in the 9th minute.
Dikwena's Joseph Malongoane got in a good position to shoot at goal in the 13th minute but the diminutive attacker lost his balance and scooped the ball well over the crossbar with the Royal Bafokeng crowd holding their breath.
Just when Pirates looked to be settling, Stars caught them on the break with Malangoane splitting the defence for Lebo Ramolesa to slam the ball home in the 24th minute. Referee Robert Sithole played a great advantage after a Patrick Malokase foul on Ntsikelelo Nyauza during the build-up.
Pirates' inexperienced defenders were slowly growing in confidence and the Stars attackers were finding the going more difficult in the Bucs final third. Sibusiso Msomi went for goal from 30 yards out to try and build on the home side's slim lead.
Dikwena did get their second courtesy of Mandaza, who turned the Pirates defenders and put a low drive into the bottom left corner two minutes from the interval. Malongoane was superb in providing the assist, mesmerising Mjempu with a series of step-overs.
Mthimkulu had all the time in the world to guide his header goalwards at the far post but the young defender put his effort harmlessly wide as Pirates looked to get back into the game at the start of the second stanza. Ndumiso Mabena followed that up with a shot from range straight into the side netting.
The Sea Robbers best opportunity came via the boot of substitute Mark Mayambela, who floated an inviting ball to the far post for Patrick Malokase but the Pirates striker could not control his header on the hour mark.
Malongoane continued to impress on the attack, ripping the Pirates defence apart before laying the ball back for triallist Shane Poggenpoel but the former SuperSport United hardman could not take the chance on his weaker left foot.
Substitute Benni McCarthy came within a whisker of pulling one back for the visitors, diving desperately at Mabena's cross with the goal at his mercy in the 75th minute.
Even with Chiukepo Msowoya, McCarthy, Mabena and Rantie in the mix, Pirates could not force their way through the Stars defence, who were holding on doggedly to the two-goal lead. That was until Rantie struck in injury time, making the best of Mayambela's neat pass to fire a venomous strike into the far corner of the net from the left side of the area.
It was to be Dikwena's day however, as they survived a late McCarthy freekick to hoist the inaugural OR Tambo Soccer Challenge trophy.
Platinum Stars: Mabokgwane, Mmbooi, Ramolesa (Poggenpoel 55'), Phala, Sambu, Semenya (Mpangase 65'), Nyauza (Ng'ambi 45'), Ngwepe, Malangoane (Da Silva 69'), Msomi, Mandaza (Phalane 53')
Orlando Pirates: Meyiwa, Mjempu (Mayambela 45'), Mthimkulu, Nzunga (Lekgwathi 45'), Mashego (Msowoya 79'), Nguni, Ntusi, Mabalane (McCarthy 59'), Mabena, Malokase, Rantie
Goal: Lebo Ramolesa 23', Terence Mandaza 43' (Stars) Takelo Rantie 90' + 1' (Pirates)
comments
thanks stars, dis rats are starting to iritate me.
Submitted by: latinice
Date: 14 November 2011, Time: 14:58:34
Zebra fans ar stupid,thy booied Mphela nw thy happy tht we lost ku Charity,basazo sufèrer big tym
Submitted by: Mtho4lyf
Date: 14 November 2011, Time: 14:21:05
Knowing that midfield wins you games how cn you expose your inexperiencd back four like that,LEAL n TEBOGO have knocked those boys confidence's to the ankle height am surely none of those new players would be confident inaf to thnk they can break into bucs starting line up after being thrown into the deep end like that,there was no leader in that line up those boys were all over the place,had they had 1 experiencd defender,1 experiencd midfielder,1 experiencd striker n a winger the result could have been much dffrent...BUCS COMES 1ST I DONT GIVE A HOOT WHO'S THE LAST!!
Submitted by: iminathi
Date: 14 November 2011, Time: 13:25:27
I,like any other supporter i would like to see my team win every game they play though knowing thats nt possible,LEAL with tebogo stil there beside you,you'l never archieve what you ought to do,manchesters of this world when they play in these kind of tounarments they always blend their experienced wth inexperiencd playrs,you'd find your ferdinand at the back for leadershp,scholes,giggs n anderson,ud find inexperience in wes brown,evans,pablo,upfrnt owen to play with welbeck n obetan to show the youngsters the way because they have a raputation to protect,now plz do explain that obserd line up in the final for bucs how cn u play takalani's in midfield n change your whole back four to be inexperienced players n show concern in your eyes when they are run riot by the opposition?
Submitted by: iminathi
Date: 14 November 2011, Time: 13:11:54
Im hapy we wil retain our 1st team come end of fifa break.wish dey stay injury free.we nt touched by warm-up OR Tambo cup,we jst 1ntd 2 thank Stars 4 my making life easy 4 us without insultations frm zebras n flops.adawise d rest is histry.Up The Bucs
Submitted by: 0714374149
Date: 14 November 2011, Time: 10:18:41
Thanks blackman you made this pig to change is profile pic,although esakhonkotha kodwa usalalela
Submitted by: VIPER
Date: 14 November 2011, Time: 09:16:13
@mhlangenkosi,I can see that the gay(you)is excited over the Bucs defeat on that unrecognized cup of a day but I won't blame you pig since such warm up cups you consider them as serious no wonder why you specialize on macufe while thina we go for MTN8,TKO,NEDBANK,PSL and CHAMPIONS LEAGUE and if you don't believe me let's meet at Mabhida on 26th of November where by total football will be held
Submitted by: VIPER
Date: 14 November 2011, Time: 09:12:59
sorry Blackmampara i wont tolerate such behaviour by a lifeless man lyk u who are bringing men's dignity down,stop animal Abuse.
Submitted by: Mhlangenkosi
Date: 14 November 2011, Time: 09:10:13
@Mhlangenkosi u need 2 find life boy u like 2 b noticed at all cost.Ur profile picture says a lot abt u, look there r more constructive things 2 do 4 ur life like education not this idiotic bhaviour u displaying here u looser get life.
Submitted by: Blackmam
Date: 14 November 2011, Time: 08:50:52
Its good to have such games for the technical team to assess which players must be retained and which players must be released.
Submitted by: liesbeeck
Date: 14 November 2011, Time: 08:50:30