ANDREW MUCHINERIPI, Johannesburg | Saturday 6.00pm
PHUMLANI Mkhize scored two goals and could have doubled his tally as Orlando Pirates defeated Hellenic 2-0 in a one-sided Castle Premiership match at chilly FNB Stadium.
With Sibusiso Zuma gone to Denmark and Siyabonga Nomvete being wooed by clubs in England, Germany and Italy, Mkhize is the only one of the African Wanderers trio who came to Johannesburg two season ago seemingly content to stay here.
The Durban-born striker spoke a few months ago of going home, but new coach Gordon Igesund, who officially takes over at the end of the season next month, probably has other ideas.
Igesund temporarily abandoned Manning Rangers by flying to Johannesburg for this match, then dashing back to the Indian Ocean city for a floodlit league game against Mother City at Chatsworth Stadium.
Mkhize was the individual star of a solid Pirates display, notwithstanding a jittery showing by goalkeeper Lucky Shiburi, who was promoted in place of ageing Nigerian William Okpara.
Shiburi hardly held a shot or cross throughout an afternoon in which the Hellenic strikeforce of experienced Grant Young and debutant Darryl Smith never clicked and the replacement of the latter by Ugo Robard made no difference.
Pirates were quicker and slicker against opponents who were static in attack, uninspiring in midfield and lucky to have George Moyo in a defence that never looked comfortable when Joseph Ngake crossed.
Mkhize opened the scoring after eight minutes with a close-range, left-foot shot after the pace of Steve Lekoelea and slick one-touch passing carved open the Greek Gods defence.
The Buccaneers struck again 62 minutes into a match watched by a few thousand loyal fans, volleying a deep cross from Gerald Raphahlela past helpless young goalkeeper Ryan Braybrooke.