Orlando Pirates added another piece of history to their lore when they beat the Carling All-Stars 2-0 in their Carling Cup fixture played at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
In dispatching the star-studded selection voted for by the football-loving public, the Buccaneers became the first Carling Knockout champions to prevail in the mid-season exhibition competition since its inception in 2023. This capped off a fine year for the Soweto Giants, who had picked up two major trophies earlier in the season
With the hosts’ AFCON-bound stars not available for the fixture, new combinations were implemented by both dugouts. The opening exchanges were however mostly a scrappy affair on a gloomy afternoon in Durban.
Chances were few and far between throughout, with Bucs goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi initially the busier of the two shot-stoppers.The 27-year-old was called on to deal with a dangerous-looking ball from a third-minute free kick floated in by Mfundo Vilakazi and was watchful as Marcello De Allende went narrowly wide with a direct set piece from a fair distance out.
In his second encounter with his former team in as many weeks, former Bucs midfielder Phillip Ndlondlo launched a long-range effort in the 20th minute but was unable to direct his effort on target. The All-Stars remained on the ascendancy throughout the remainder of the first period, conjuring up chances with the likes of Vilakazi and Allende giving the Pirates defence a few heart-stopping moments.
After finishing the first period still deadlocked, it was the men in red who came out guns blazing in the second period as they continued to pile the pressure on the Soweto Giants. They went close through Mduduzi Shabalala after the hour mark, but Lebone Seema was on hand to get a crucial touch to direct the Kaizer Chiefs man’s effort off target.
Just a minute after the close call in the Pirates half, it was a second half replacement at the other end who had a telling impact on the scorecard. This was when skipper Deon Hotto produced an excellent pass on the path of substitute striker Sifiso Luthuli, who needed a single touch to chip goalkeeper Naphtali Mokoena for the opener.
Just seconds later, the veteran winger created another chance for another Bucs forward in Boitumelo Radiopane whose effort from point-blank range was kept out by Mokoena.
By then the tide had turned well into the Carling Knockout champions’ favour, as they dominated the closing stages of the contest. They were rewarded with a bit of magic from Radiopane, who displayed impressive strength to brush off a challenge before finishing past the outstretched Mokoena to send his side two up with 10 minutes to go.
Now trailing significantly with the clock ticking, All-Stars made a few attempts to half their deficit but neither Ndlondlo nor Shabalala could find their bearings with last-gasp attempts at pulling one back.
All that was left was for Pirates to hang on to their lead, and they had no trouble doing so as they completed a clinical performance to walk off as winners in their final fixture before the festive season break.
Pirates XI: Buthelezi, Ndah, Sesane, Seema, Van Rooyen (Shandu 63’), Makhaula (Mariko 46’), Dansin, Hotto, Maswanganyi, Masilela (Luthuli 63’), Mbuthuma (Radiopane 46’).
SOURCED FROM THE CLUB’S WEBSITE.
