Soccer Laduma rates the individual performances of the Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates players, following the Buccaneers 3-1 win.
Kaizer Chiefs:
Itumeleng Khune: 6.5
Hardly had a saved to make throughout in the first, although he was at fault for the first goal when he cleared the ball into Sarr's path. While he pulled off a couple important saves in the second stanza.
Siboniso Gaxa: 6
Looked solid defensively for most of the game and was hardly beaten by his opposition winger, although he hardly impressed going forward.
Erick Mathoho: 6.5
Got off to fine start and did well to frustrate Gabuza for most of the game and scored a well-taken equaliser, however he let Gcaba power home a header unchallenged and was easily beaten by Erasmus for the final goal.
Ivan Bukenya: 5
Never looked comfortable on the ball from the first whistle and struggled to deal with the movement of Erasmus and Gabuza.
Tsepo Masilela: 6
Had no problems going forward and adding numbers to the attack, although he did struggle to deal with the threat of Rakhale down the flank.
Willard Katsande: 6
Did well in the opening stages and put in a couple tackles, although they were overrun as the game went on.
Reneilwe Letsholonyane: 5
Struggled to get himself into the game, he failed to offer anything going forward and was sloppy with his passing.
Siphiwe Tshabalala: 6
Picked up the assist for Mathoho's goal, but never had a major impact in the final third throughout the 90 minutes.
George Lebese: 5
Not the best of showings from the Chiefs winger, he failed to have any impact down the left flank and was substituted in the 70th minute.
Camaldine Abraw: 6
Endured a tough battle against the likes of Sangweni and Mahamutsa and never had a sight of goal throughout the clash.
Edward Manqele: 6
He was a keen runner throughout his cameo, although his decision-making and final passes were not impressive.
Substitutes:
Bernard Parker: 5
Replaced Lebese for the final 20 minutes but failed to make a desired impact.
George Maluleka: NA
Not on the field long enough to receive a rating.
Siphelele Mthembu: NA
Not on the field long enough to receive a rating.
Orlando Pirates:
Siyabonga Mpontshane: 6
It proved to be a very quiet afternoon for the Buccaneers shot-stopper, while he helpless for the Mathoho goal.
Ntsikelelo Nyauza: 6
Nyauza put in a fine performance at right-back, he didn't get forward much, but his was great defensively and frustrated Lebese for most of the game.
Thabo Matlaba: 6
Impressed on the defensive end and did well frustrate Gaxa and Tshabalala down the right flank, while he could have added his name on the score-sheet.
Siyabonag Sangweni: 6.5
Sangweni put in a fine showing in the heart of the defence and had a good battle with Abraw, which he won and it was his header that led to Sarr's goal.
Ayanda Gcaba: 7
One of the best performers on the field for the Buccaneers, put in a fine shift defensively and he also popped up with a fine towering header in the second half.
Issa Sarr: 7
The Senegalese was key in helping Pirates dominate in the middle, he also opened the scoring for the Buccaneers, while he was caught ball-watching for Mathoho's goal.
Thabo Rakhale: 6.5
Rakhale was a constant threat down the right flank with his dribbling and he also whipped in a few good crosses.
Thandani Ntshumayelo: 6
"Bibo" certainly impressed in the middle of the park, he put in a few crunching tackles and did well to help his side retain possession.
Thamsanqa Gabuza: 7
Troubled the Chiefs defence with his movement, he squandered a few chances in the second half but had the final say by scoring the third goal.
Mpho Makola: 6
Had a poor start and lost possession quite easily but got better as the game went on and had a bigger influence in the final third.
Kermit Erasmus: 6.5
Played behind Gabuza and was instrumental in most of the Buccaneers' attacks and he popped up with a stunning assist for Gabuza's goal in the second half.
Substitutes:
Edwin Gyimah: NA
Not on the field long enough to receive a rating.
Lehlohonolo Majoro: NA
Not on the field long enough to receive a rating.
