Ecstasy in the Orlando Pirates camp and an electric atmosphere concealed the mediocrity of the football during the Buccaneers’ 2-0 Absa Cup derby win over Moroka Swallows in Potchefstroom on Saturday night.
A uniformly robust, relentless Pirates achieved the win — which was desperately needed by both tradition-steeped clubs, who are in the midst of lengthy title droughts — through Lucky Legwathi’s headed goal in the 35th minute and Jabu Mahlangu’s telling, if deflected, 22m shot in the 58th minute.
While Swallows battled manfully until the end, there is little anyone can offer in mitigation for a team who have 12 gilt-edged scoring opportunities in a game, yet do not seriously test the opposition goalkeeper once.
In a Premier Soccer League conspicuous for inept finishing, the Birds qualified for the booby prize at the 14 000-capacity-filled Olen Stadium, with gangling Senegalese striker Mame Niang failing to hit the target once from what coach Gavin Hunt suggested was ”enough opportunities to have scored a double hat-trick”.
A soccer team, like a chain, is invariably as strong as its weakest link and, despite his height of more than 2m, the awkward Niang has yet to learn how to head a ball with any sort of accuracy.
Then, to magnify Niang’s nightmare, he left Legwathi unmarked after being designated to watch the Pirates defender when he scored the decisive opening goal following a corner.
Adding to the Birds’ woes was the fact that they seemed to confuse themselves more than their opponents while taking a succession of inviting free kicks from the edge of the penalty area.
Pirates gratefully accepted the gratuities that were going their way and shed their early indecision and lack of composure when it became evident that the Birds were becoming more uneasy and nervy the longer the game progressed.
And Pirates’ down-to-earth Democratic Republic of Congo coach, Bibey Mutombo, was able to declare his satisfaction after a run of nine games with only a single defeat, saying his players were ”making good progress” — but were still 50% away from where he wanted to get them.
Swallows’ Hunt, on the other hand, must rue fielding ring-rusty players in Jabulani Mendu and Cecil Oerson on such a vital occasion — particularly as Mendu has not been active in top-grade soccer for about two years.
Swallows only reaffirmed a growing reputation of faltering on the big occasion — and losing when it matters most. — Sapa