Andrew Muchineripi soccer
There was no shortage of spin doctors when the Rothmans Cup so extravagantly took off four years ago and, for once, the happenings actually matched the hype.
Remember those two “unbelievable” finals between Kaizer Chiefs and Sundowns? Remember the legitimate Sundowns goal that was disallowed?
Remember Paul Dolezar, the coach who seemed to own the cup. The amazingly animated Frenchman won it twice with the Amakhosi, then moved to Sundowns and collected the trophy again after a final against Free State Stars that lacked the intensity of the previous two.
Alas, a competition that brought the first R1-million prize to South African football has fallen foul of clamps on cigarette advertising and ends tomorrow at FNB stadium where Orlando Pirates are expected to complete a finals “hat-trick” over Ajax Cape Town.
The Buccaneers triumphed 3-0 in the Iwisa Charity Spectacular one season ago in a match that was over by half-time as the black-and-white outfit had established a three-goal advantage.
It was considerably closer a few months ago in the Top 8 when it took an extra-time golden goal from the penalty spot by the most instantly recognisable Rasta man in South Africa, Thabo Mngomeni, to shut out Ajax.
Pirates led for much of normal time only to see the Cape Town kids snatch an injury-time equaliser that left the final balanced on the proverbial knife edge.
Forecasting the result of a cup final is nothing less than madness an unwanted opportunity for members of the fourth estate to make fools of themselves in public (as if they need much encouragement!).
It cannot be disputed, though, that Pirates are favoured to collect their first major (one cannot include the Top 8 because only the first eight clubs in the previous Castle Premiership were included) since hoisting the 1996 Bob Save Super Bowl.
A long wait, indeed, for such a famous club, and managing director Irvin “Iron Duke” Khoza this week stoked the fires of commitment by telling his players to catch a wake-up. Khoza has not been shy when it comes to spending money on players and ringing the coaching changes in an effort to bring silverware to a club formed 63 years ago.
Latest coach Gordon Igesund (a bit of a spin doctor himself) has lived up to his promise of retaining the natural flair of the Buccaneers while adding a heavy dose of essential tactical discipline.
Pirates players are less inclined to go walkabout these days and a coach knows he is in a strong position when Pollen Ndlanya and Mozambican defender Tomas Inguane cannot make the starting line-up.
Not that he has had an easy ride to the final with the Sea Robbers qualifying despite losing their three home matches played, incidentally, at three different venues. A 2-1 loss to Classic at FNB stadium in the first round was overturned by a 2-0 win at the Makhulong Slaughterhouse and a 4-2 quarterfinal triumph over Ria Stars was almost nullified as they fell 3-2 at Vosloorus stadium.
Beating Moroka Swallows 2-1 in the semi-final at Rand stadium should have paved a smooth path to the final, but once again the Buccaneers almost managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, losing the return 1-0 in Rustenburg.
But no one dare dismiss Pirates on account of a lacklustre performance at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace as the team was jaded from too many matches in too short a period of time.
Will the Premier Soccer League board of governors ever learn that the public want quality not quantity and that footballers are human beings with a fondness for kicking a ball, not robots with life-long batteries?
Gerald Raphahlela was needlessly sent off in Rustenburg for trying to tell referee Paolo Marques how to do his job and the big man from Pietersburg will miss the final.
But Igesund is better placed to cope with suspensions and injuries than any other PSL coach bar Sundowns temporary boss Neil Tovey, who is doing fine with four Premiership victories in five matches.
While opposite number Steve Haupt does not have too many options when it comes to choosing his starting line-up, Igesund can shuffle his pack a fair amount and still produce a winning team.
So why are Pirates favoured? Well, they have plenty of big-match temperament with all the key posltions manned by footballers used to the unique pressures of cup finals.
Nigerian goalkeeper Williams Okpara was outstanding in the second leg against Swallows, making several saves that kept his team in the match when the Birds threatened to run riot.
Mngomeni possesses seemingly endless reserves of energy and a strike force including Ndlanya, Zambian international Dennis Lota and a reformed Jerry Sikhosana has no equal within the PSL.
Ajax Cape Town have done remarkably well to reach two consecutive cup finals with Free State Stars, Premiership leaders Santos and Jomo Cosmos their Rothmans Cup victims.
Given the youth of the Cape club, that was no mean achievement, especially the 2-1 (1-0 home and 1-1 away) aggregate triumph over a Cosmos team liberally laced with seasoned professionals.
They also possess surely the best goal- keeper in the country at the moment in Calvin Marlin, the man labelled a keeper-sweeper by one Johannesburg newspaper.
Marlin has redefined the role of a goalkeeper, constantly advancing far beyond the area normally patrolled by guardians, to become an extra defender, and his reflexes improve by the week.
Edelbert Dinha is a Zimbabwean used to big occasions, having represented his country many times, and Brendan Augustine is another utility player who will not be overawed by the demands of the day.
But the player Ajax probably believe carries their best hopes of victory is little midfield jack-in-the-box Steve Pienaar. Full of talent and skill, he also has the maturity Pirates problem child Steve Lekoelea would do well to emulate.
Having vowed some time ago never to forecast cup ties, I will stick my neck out and predict a 2-1 victory for Pirates, possibly after extra time. If I’m wrong no phone calls suggesting a career change, please. At 65 I’m past that sort of thing.