/ 3 August 2008

Sweet revenge for Pirates coach

New Orlando Pirates coach Rudi Krol hit the jackpot by winning the Telkom Charity Cup against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday night.

New Orlando Pirates coach Rudi Krol hit the jackpot by winning the Telkom Charity Cup against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in a fast-paced final played at the Mmabatho Stadium on Saturday night.

What made this victory doubly sweeter for the former Dutch international star is the fact that he erased the 2-0 defeat Amakhosi inflicted on his side in the Vodacom Challenge in Port Elizabeth last week.

But it was his ploy of leaving playmaker Teko Modise and striker Excellent Walaza out of the final after playing against Platinum Stars in the semifinal, and deploying midfielder Thembile Kanono as Gilbert Mushangazhike’s strike partner, that showed Bucs’ depth this season and that the coach is on the right track.

The move paid handsome dividends when Kanono scored the only goal in the 17th minute to give Bucs their sixth Charity Cup victory.

New Bucs goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs helped pay back his R2-million-plus transfer fee from BidVest Wits with a brilliant save two minutes from time from Jose Torrealba.

Krol was criticised for fielding two different sides in the Challenge — a reserve team against English and European Manchester United in Durban where Pirates lost 1-0 and a new side against Chiefs.

He defended himself by saying he needed to assess his players in the Challenge and stated before the match he would use the same tactics should Bucs reach the Charity Cup final.

This time Krol was proved right and he got his tactics spot-on. It was a good solid start to the season by both Soweto giants who showed that they will be among the contenders for honours when the season officially kicks off next weekend with the start of the new top-eight cup.

The former Dutch international star who loves gambling with his team selections got it right and won his first trophy since he took charge of the Buccaneers in the off-season — and what a sweet way to win his first piece of silverware with Pirates and avenge the Soweto derby defeat in the Challenge.

Kanono caused many problems for the Chiefs defence who struggled to contain him. The match was more exciting than both semifinals put together.

There was plenty of drama in an action-packed first half. Krol played a completely new side from the team that beat Platinum Stars on penalties in the semifinals played earlier in the day.

Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral, too, rung the changes after his side edged out big-spending Mamelodi Sundowns also on a penalty shootout in their semifinal clash.

Bucs drew first blood in the 17th minute thanks to a defensive mix-up between goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune and right back Arthur Zwane.

Zwane, who played on the right wing and shone against Stars in the semifinal, was forced into a defensive role against Bucs after skipper and regular right back Jimmy Tau picked up a knock against Stars.

Both Chiefs players failed to deal with a Joseph Makhanya cross from the right. Khune erred in not cutting out the cross while Zwane allowed Tlou Segolela to flick the ball to Kanono who blasted home a stunning goal from 18m, much to the delight of the Pirates fans in the sell-out crowd.

Three minutes later Chiefs almost drew level but Bucs were saved by the woodwork when Amakhosi’s new striker Torrealba showed great skill to hit a long clearance from Khune on the half volley, beating Bucs keeper Josephs hands down, but unlucky for the Venezuelan international his shot cannoned off the upright.

The big talking point in the entertaining first half came in the 39th minute when another new Buccaneer, defender Benson Mhlongo, brought down Mandla Masango inside the penalty area. However, referee Jonas Nhlapo was too far away from the action to give a decision. The Chiefs bench erupted in frustration and had cause to complain as it appeared Mhlongo had fouled Masango.

If Nhlapo is to officiate in the top flight this season, he needs to work on his fitness and be closer to the action to avoid such controversies in the coming season.

Josephs showed why Bucs paid BidVest Wits more than R2-million for him when he brilliantly turned a Tinashe Nengomasha shot for a corner four minutes from the break.

Bucs kept their shape in the second half but Chiefs disappointed after failing to live up their game. Amakhosi started to show urgency late in the game where they forced three successive corners in the 83rd minute but it was too little too late.

In the 88th minute, Torrealba’s header took a deflection but the wide-awake Josephs brilliantly palmed the ball for a corner. — Sapa