Andrew Muchineripi : Soccer
It was not a pretty sight for those wearing black and white. Orlando Pirates, who had not lost to Kaizer Chiefs since the Premier Soccer League was formed two years ago, were being teased and tormented.
There were 15 minutes left in the first leg of the Rothmans Cup semi-final, Chiefs were leading 3-0 and the players could not resist falling into the old habit of showboating.
It was more than some Pirates supporters could bare so they started trooping toward the exits and missed the late goal from Joseph Ngake that raised hopes of a dramatic Buccaneers revival.
The second leg is at FNB Stadium on Saturday and while the smart money must be placed on Chiefs advancing to a November 28 final showdown with Sundowns or Seven Stars, dare one dismiss Pirates?
Chiefs were at home in the first leg, although it was played at the home of Pirates because Soccer City was considered the only ground capable of accommodating the crowd this fixture attracts.
The authorities guessed right because close to 80E000 fans packed the stadium for a match that will be fondly remembered by Chiefs’ two-goal hero, Pollen “Trompies” Ndlanya.
Pollen had never scored against Pirates and in-between his first-half header and second-half shot, Marc Batchelor tucked one away after cleverly avoiding the offside trap.
But while Ndlanya created the headlines, there were many other heroes, not least the grand old man of South African soccer, Neil Tovey, who hardly put a foot wrong.
Then there were livewire midfielders Thabo Mooki and Thabang Lebese, who ran Pirates’ much-vaunted quartet of Brandon Silent, John Moeti, Dumisa Ngobe and Dennis Lota ragged.
Pace is often a missing factor in domestic matches, but not this time as Mooki and Lebese sprinted clear of opponents and created panic in a Pirates rearguard missing injured Willem Jackson.
Buccaneers supporters might also have wondered whether Gavin Lane had been consigned to the scrap heap too soon because Gerald Raphahlela, Sam Pam and Papi Khomane were constantly at sea.
Lane always kept Ndlanya under control, by fair means or foul, and his influence was sorely missed from a backline lacking an influential figure to take command and restore stability.
Equally disappointing for Pirates was the failure of Sibusiso Zuma and Phumlani Mkhize, and later Jerry Sikhosana to capitalise on many chances that came their way.
They scored only once because of wild finishing, the solid defending of Tovey and company, and an inspired performance from Chiefs goalkeeper Brian Baloyi.
“Spiderman” even ventured from his penalty area in the second half to dispossess Zuma and clear the ball. This cameo, in many ways, illustrated the difference between the teams with Chiefs displaying greater hunger.
The pressure is on the Amakhosi now because their supporters and many neutrals believe the tie is won while Pirates find themselves labelled “no-hopers”.
Rival captains Tovey and John Moeti produced the predictable quotes at a midweek media conference with Chiefs promising a “humdinger” and Pirates “fireworks”.
Moeti used the word “character” several times, saying Pirates possessed it in abundance and must show it to survive, while Tovey assured those confused by the away-goal rule not to worry because it would not apply.
Giantkillers Seven Stars, who defeated Amazulu, Cape Town Spurs and Manning Rangers to reach the last four, lack the attacking strength to overcome a 2-0 deficit when they host Sundowns at Athlone Stadium on Sunday. The “Brazilians”, runners-up to Chiefs after a replay last year, won the first leg against a strangely lethargic Stars outfit through two goals from prolific Nigerian marksman Raphael Chukwu.
Captain Daniel Mudau stressed this week that Sundowns are not a one-man team and that recent Castle Premierships defeats were due to opponents raising their game rather than his team slipping.
Victory in the Rothmans Cup would complete a unique treble for Sundowns, who already hold the Premiership and Bob Save Super Bowl titles. Predictions? Take Chiefs and Sundowns to progress.