Bucs survive fall of the giants

The Nedbank Cup has been full of surprises with the underdogs flourishing, but not on Monday as treble-chasing Pirates advance.

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Orlando Pirates (0) 1

Jele 55

Free State Stars 0

Orlando Pirates ground their way into the Nedbank Cup semi-finals here on Monday, surviving the sending off of goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa to ensure that one of the favourites remains in this competition of surprises.

The repercussions for the Buccaneers in the Absa Premiership title race remain to be seen, with Meyiwa, Isaac Chansa and Lucky Lekgwathi all now suspended for Saturday night’s home game against SuperSport United.

Their goalkeeping situation looks particularly fragile, but for now a domestic treble remains firmly in their sights.

This was a fractious, rather than fabulous performance from Pirates, but in the end Happy Jele’s header was enough against a Stars side that was pathetically limp in attack.

Steve Komphela’s men really ought to have piled on the pressure once Meyiwa was red carded around the hour mark, hauling down Noah Chivuta outside the area.

But only once did they truly test Pirates’ new ‘keeper Jacob Mokhasi, who pulled off an outstanding save to deny substitute Madoda Motha.

Pirates went into this game without suspended striker Katlego Mashego, while leftback Rueben Cloete is on compassionate leave. Lekgwathi slotted in on the left, and Chiukepo Msowoya partnered Chansa in attack. Bucs coach Ruud Krol also surprisingly benched Tlou Segolela, the scorer of a fabulous goal in the Free State in February.

Komphela played Boitumelo Sekgobela as his lone striker, employing a five man midfield, and clearly setting out to hit the Buccaneers on the break.

It was Pirates who made all the early running. Chansa laid the ball off for midfield runner Jali after just four minutes, but his shot flew just wide. Chansa himself then cut inside and curled in a shot that was comfortable for his Zambian compatriot Kennedy Mweene in the Stars goal.

Pirates felt they should have had a penalty when Msowoya went down in the area under the challenge of Ayanda Gcaba, but Victor Hlungwani gave a goalkick, and replays appeared inconclusive.

Stars were proving of little threat to the Pirates’ defence, though Noah Chivuta’s long-range effort had Meyiwa flailing as it flew just over.

The Buccaneers should have gone in front when Mbuyane just beat the offside flag to race on to Chansa’s pass, but his left footed finish was woeful, and dribbled wide.

On the stroke of half-time, Mbuyane did rather better, turning his man and firing in a shot that Mweene was at full stretch to tip over.

Pirates did finally get their goal 10 minutes after the break. Dikgang Mabalane found some space in the area, and his cross was deftly headed home by Jele.

The Buccaneers, however, were then dealt a severe blow as Chivuta raced clear, and Meyiwa had a rush of blood to the head, storming off his line, and bringing down the Zambian midfielder. Hlungwani, without much hesitation, pulled out the red card.

Mokhasi came on for his first appearance of the season in the Bucs goal, with Msowoya sacrificed by Krol.

Chivuta curled the resulting freekick over the bar.

Pirates then had a chance to double their lead as Stars ‘keeper Mweene gifted possession to Chansa, but his chip flew wide.

Mokhasi joined Pirates in February as emergency cover following the long-term injury to Moeneeb Josephs. The former SuperSport and Wits ‘keeper captained South Africa at the CHAN tournament in Sudan earlier this year, but has played little top-flight football of late.

Still, his reactions were superb as he saved at point blank range from Motha, who seemed certain to turn in Thabo Matlaba’s cross.

Pirates could have wrapped up the victory as Mabalane fired wide and then substitute Segolela burst through the Stars defence, but could not quite get a clean shot away under pressure. In the end, however, one goal was enough. - The Star

Source: http://www.iol.co.za/bucs-survive-fall-of-the-giants-1.1061061

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