Premier Soccer League leaders Silver Stars’ magic carriage ride came to an abrupt end in a comprehensive 2-0 defeat against Orlando Pirates at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon.
A rampant and uninhibited Pirates outplayed their dogged and determined opponents and were in the driver’s seat as early as the fourth minute when deceptive Ethiopian striker Tefera Fiku opened the score following a pin-point cross from South African soccer’s prodigal son, Jabu Mahlangu.
And it was Mahlangu again who was instrumental in the Buccaneers’ second goal in the 52nd minute when his dizzy, darting dribble paved the way for former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Paulos Masehe to score with an equally sensational shot.
This goal basically knocked the stuffing out of Stars and when Mahlangu was eventually replaced in the 79th minute to raucous cheering from an enthusiastic, 18 000-strong crowd, he had already demonstrated that while he might be bad at times, when he is good he is undoubtedly very good.
Stars, whose nomadic, lonely and frugal existence has most recently taken them to Rustenburg’s Bafokeng Sports Palace as a home venue, surprised all and sundry in the early days of the season by forging their way to the top of the Premier Soccer League log.
But while they retain their position for the moment, Stars limitations were clearly exposed by the Buccaneers and it would seem only a matter of time before some of the more talented teams in the log overtake them.
For Pirates, in contrast, the game at a gloomy, rain-swept Ellis Park was a timely morale booster after the heartache of elimination from the African Champions League most likely left them a little demoralised.
Adding to the satisfaction that engulfed the Buccaneers’ camp was the fact that they demonstrated rare panache without many of their most vaunted players, among them Benedict Vilakazi, Gift Leremi, Lebohang Mokoena and Lelo Mbele.
Pirates performed throughout with rare freedom and purpose, and even succeeded in rectifying their chronic shortcomings in front of goal — with Fiku and Masehe playing no small part in this respect. — Sapa