MONDAY, 1.00PM:
ORLANDO PIRATES are the new Iwisa Charity Soccer Spectacular champions after beating defending champions Kaizer Chiefs on penalty shootouts on Saturday. Chiefs went down 10-9 to Pirates. A total of 30 penalties were taken.
Pirates qualified for the final after beating Moroka Swallows 6-5 on penalties after their game ended 1-1 at full time. And Chiefs qualified for the 12th final of the competition after they beat Mamelodi Sundowns 4-3 on penalties. All three games were charcterised by missed scoring opportunities.
Chiefs captain Neil Tovey urged the supporters not to be disappointed as it was their first game of the season. “The other thing is that we have a new coach. It is not possible to adapt to his style of play overnight, but our supporters must rest assured that we won’t disappoint them,” said Tovey.
Pirates coach Ronald Mkhandawire was excited and he said he believed this was a good start for his team. “This was one of the best games I have ever watched. The two teams played extremely well but I was disappointed that the winner had to be determined by penalties,” added Mkhandawire. He said he will spend most of his time at training this week polishing his strikers. Pirates played without lethal striker Jerry Sikhosana, who was given marching orders by the referee after he fouled a Swallows player in the semi-final.