Orlando Pirates refused to allow Thanda Royal Zulu to spoil their home-coming party at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday night.
Bucs — who at one stage were trailing 2-1 — ran out 4-2 winners against a 10-man Thanda in an action-packed Absa Premiership showdown.
It was an inspired performance from Teko Modise that led Bucs to their deserved win.
Striker Siphelele Mthembu, who has been at the centre of a tug-of-war between Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs over his services for some months now, finally made his Bucs debut when he replaced Gilbert Mushangazhike in the 76th minute.
A stunning free kick in the 55th minute from midfield star Modise restarted the Bucs home-coming party.
Modise, who was mercilessly hacked during the game, got his revenge after Thanda defender Japie Motale was sent off by referee Daniel Bennett for a second challenge on the Bucs talisman in the 55th minute. Modise then rubbed salt into Thanda’s wounds when he equalised with a free kick from the foul.
But two goalkeeping errors almost spoilt the party.
Bucs’ reserve keeper Senzo Meyiwa was at fault for the first goal in the 18th minute but he committed a howler two minutes after the restart when he miscued a simple back pass from defender Destin Makita and watched in horror as the ball rolled into his net.
But when Benson Mhlongo netted the third goal in the 74th minute Pirates skipper Lehlohonono Seema showed great leadership by hugging Meyiwa.
The rough stuff was started by Thanda who targeted Modise. The Bafana playmaker was on the wrong end of a couple of late challenges and tackles from behind that resulted in Thanda defender James Madidilani being booked early in the half.
Pirates’ pressure paid off in the 12th minute when Mabalane showed some brilliant individual skills by turning Thanda defender Thabiso Rammile inside out and laying on the perfect cross for Mushangazhike to head Pirates into the lead.
The goal seemed to wake up the visitors, who almost scored five minutes later when Peter Ndlovu showed a clean pair of heals and forced Meyiwa to deflect his shot for a corner.
Meyiwa made a mess of Sibusiso Hadebe’s resulting corner. The Bucs keeper failed to clear the ball and allowed Ahmed Mohammed to head home the equaliser.
Mbuyane wasted a great chance to give Pirates back the lead in injury time but with the goal at his mercy the midfielder blasted his volley over the crossbar.
Then Thanda went 2-1 ahead in the 47th minute with that mistake from Meyiwa from Makita’s back pass.
But when Motale went for an early showed after 55 minutes Bucs took advantage of the extra man. Not only did the star of the night Modise equalise from the free kick after Motale’s clumsy four, Bucs started to regain control.
Mushangazhike headed down for Mhlongo to pick his spot and score his first goal for Pirates since joining them in the off-season in the 74th minute and the party was back on.
Then Modise, the best player on the pitch, put the icing on the cake with a stunning fourth goal when he stroked the ball past Mathibe. – Sapa