Rafael van der Vaart scored in each half for Tottenham Hotspur as they beat a below par Orlando Pirates 3-0 to walk away with the Vodacom Challenge trophy in the competition’s final played at Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday.
The last time Spurs were in the country in 2007, they outclassed Pirates 4-0 in the final.
Again, the hosts proved to be mediocre in a huge contrast to their midweek matches against Spurs and Kaizer Chiefs.
Van der Vaart opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a repeat of the set piece in which he scored against the same Senzo Meyiwa in the Pirates goal on Tuesday.
The Dutch forward found his second after 53 minutes, lobbing over the outstretched Meyiwa.
The final nail in the coffin came in the 88th minute from substitutes Jermain Defoe and Gareth Bale with Bale’s trademark run-and-cross on the left finding Defoe, who was unmarked for an easy score.
The English outfit gave the local lads a lesson about taking chances when they are provided.
Buccaneers striker Thulasizwe Mbuyane managed to connect with a header from a Daine Klate corner kick in the opening minutes, only for his effort to go wide.
Mbuyane came close again moments later, this time badly miscuing his header after good work on the left flank from mercurial winger Tlou Segolela who, despite being a threat with his pace, was guilty of poor decision making.
Striker Bongani Ndulula found himself facing Spurs’ keeper Heurelho Gomes shortly before the interval but his attempted chip deflected over the posts by the shot stopper.
In the second-half, more chances were presented to Segolela and substitute Mark Mayambela but both were woefully fluffed.
With the score 2-0 to Spurs, Pirates were presented with a chance of pulling one back with 11 minutes to play after a handball by the visitors in the penalty box.
Segolela stepped up to take the spot kick but saw his shot rebounding off the woodwork and into safety.
Spurs started the match with Bafana Bafana captain Steven Pienaar, who missed the first two matches with a knee injury before he was replaced after the interval by Wilson Palacios. – Reuters