Pirates start the long journey in style

ABSA Premiership result: Pirates 2-1 Arrows
Venue: Orlando Stadium

A stunning strike from Tlou Segolela gave Orlando Pirates a winning start to their ABSA Premiership campaign after they beat a lively Golden Arrows 2-1 at the Orlando Stadium on Friday. Thulasizwe Mbuyane struck late in the first-half to cancel out the opening goal from Bonginkosi Ntuli and Segolela buried a sensational winner in the second-half.

Neither side really managed to get into their stride in the opening 10 minute but Arrows were lively and Stanton Lewis forced Moeneeb Josephs into a good save in the 16th minute with a low curler that the goalkeeper tipped around the post. The opening goal would arrive moments later when Sifiso Myeni was stopped dead in his tracks with an excellent tackle from Thanduyise Khuboni. He then picked out Lewis who forced Josephs to parry and Ntuli was following up to tuck away the rebound from close range.

Pirates had the chance to hit back immediately with a free-kick inside the area but Arrows did well to clear the danger. The Sea Robbers then suffered a blow when Ndumiso Mabena went down clutching his leg and was soon replaced by Mbuyane.

Benni McCarthy produced a weak header at the far post in the 28th minute while Siyabonga Sangweni made a fantastic tackle to deny Ntuli his second on the night. Khuboni was a monster in defence for Arrows and crucially took the ball away from Mbuyane who looked set to get a shot on target in the 42nd minute.

Pirates would not be denied though and Mbuyane buried a sensational header from a Myeni corner to draw the game level just before the break. The Buccaneers started the second period with more purpose and saw Myeni smash a shot just wide of the target three minutes in.

McCarthy then unsuccessfully looked for a penalty in the 50th minute before Myeni lifted another opportunity over the crossbar. Andile Jali should have scored two minutes later when he was picked out by Thabo Matlaba but his first-time shot was unable to trouble the goalkeeper.

Segolela replaced Myeni in the 63rd minute and almost made an immediate impact only for his shot to be blocked before Daine Klate also saw his effort charged down moments later.

Lewis tried to respond for Arrows, who had been less effective in attack in the second-half, but his powerful drive flew just wide of the target.

The winning goal would then arrive in the 78th minute and it was well worth the wait as Segolela latched onto McCarthy's header from far out to the left of the target and let rip with a stinging drive that touched the hand of the goalkeeper en route to the top corner.

Arrows failed to really trouble Josephs in the final few minutes of the game while Pirates could have extended their advantage, but no more goals arrived and the defending champions picked up their first three points of the new season.

Pirates: Moeneeb Josephs, Thabo Matlaba, Lucky Lekgwathi, Siyabonga Sangweni, Patrick Phungwayo, Daine Klate, Andile Jali, Manti Moholo, Sifiso Myeni, Ndumiso Mabena, Benni McCarthy.

Arrows: Pavels Steinbors, Siyanda Zwane, Ritus Krjauklis, Musa Bilankulu, Sibusiso Hadebe, Philani Shangwe, Souleymane Keita, Thanduyise Khuboni, Nkosinathi Ogle, Stanton Lewis, Bongi Nutli. By Sbue

Orlando Pirates Blasts Kaizer Chiefs To Reach MTN-8 Finals.

Kaizer Chiefs were never going to beat a team whose moment had come, Orlando Pirates today. They played a dull first half without any risks from either side. There were occasional kick and rush moments that were neutralised by bad passing. Tackles were little bit careless in midfield. Chiefs were not going to expose their rear guard for nothing and their lack of committment in attack took the spark from the derby.

Abia Nale and Simphiwe Tshabalala dictated the pace of the proceedings and slowing the match to their advantage. They tried to thread the ball through to Mandla Masango and Knowledge Musona who were a little wasteful, being well-monitored by Lucky Lekgwathi. Diane Klate, Thulane Mabuyane  and Dikgang Mabalane were well supported in attack by Isaac Chansa. Pirates depended on their pace going into the final third but over-elaborated in the box being wasteful. Andile Jali was very instrumental in winning the balls in midfield.

The second half started with a more calculated rate from both sides and Chiefs created better chances that included a strike against the bar in the 51st minute, with Monoeeb Joseph soundly beaten. Pirates responded with further creation of chances after introducing Katlego Mashego and Tlou Segolela. Chiefs became more resolute with Tinashe Nengomashe being called in to neutralise the Buccaneer effect.

The Happy Peoples seemed a little anxious and desperate to construct purposeful offensive raids as they rushed their penetration. The 78% ball possession could not be translated into anything meaningful. The trademark wasteful nature of the Sea Robbers was vivid as Mahamutsa could have scored from close range in the 67th minute.

Mbuyane could not be outdone by Mahamutsa as he wasted the what was the chance of the match, until the penalty miss, with only 16 minute of play remaining. Segolela proved he is the fasted player in South Africa as he chased lose balls and crossing the ball before anyone arrived in the box. Klate could have done with a few inches to nod Tlou's crosses. A taller Mayambela replaced Klate in the 76th minute. 

It took a fluid move from the back to the right wing. Mashego finished off Mbuyane's cross in the 81st minute. Mashego took a first time shot to beat Itumeleng Khune at the far post. Amakhosi started to push forward for an equaliser that was never going to be. It was a long through ball that Tlou ran for, and was brought down in the box and Mahamutsa had the luxury to balloon it over bar, blowing the chance to blow Chiefs away convincingly.   

The Buccaneers held on to book a date with the Soweto giants, Moroka Swallows at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday next week at 20:15. The Dube Birds dispatched Ajax Cape Town in the other semi-finals. Happy people will surely spend a glorious week.

Orlando Pirates Blasts Kaizer Chiefs To Reach MTN-8 Finals.

Kaizer Chiefs were never going to beat a team whose moment had come, Orlando Pirates today. They played a dull first half without any risks from either side. There were occasional kick and rush moments that were neutralised by bad passing. Tackles were little bit careless in midfield. Chiefs were not going to expose their rear guard for nothing and their lack of committment in attack took the spark from the derby.

Abia Nale and Simphiwe Tshabalala dictated the pace of the proceedings and slowing the match to their advantage. They tried to thread the ball through to Mandla Masango and Knowledge Musona who were a little wasteful, being well-monitored by Lucky Lekgwathi. Diane Klate, Thulane Mabuyane  and Dikgang Mabalane were well supported in attack by Isaac Chansa. Pirates depended on their pace going into the final third but over-elaborated in the box being wasteful. Andile Jali was very instrumental in winning the balls in midfield.

The second half started with a more calculated rate from both sides and Chiefs created better chances that included a strike against the bar in the 51st minute, with Monoeeb Joseph soundly beaten. Pirates responded with further creation of chances after introducing Katlego Mashego and Tlou Segolela. Chiefs became more resolute with Tinashe Nengomashe being called in to neutralise the Buccaneer effect.

The Happy Peoples seemed a little anxious and desperate to construct purposeful offensive raids as they rushed their penetration. The 78% ball possession could not be translated into anything meaningful. The trademark wasteful nature of the Sea Robbers was vivid as Mahamutsa could have scored from close range in the 67th minute.

Mbuyane could not be outdone by Mahamutsa as he wasted the what was the chance of the match, until the penalty miss, with only 16 minute of play remaining. Segolela proved he is the fasted player in South Africa as he chased lose balls and crossing the ball before anyone arrived in the box. Klate could have done with a few inches to nod Tlou's crosses. A taller Mayambela replaced Klate in the 76th minute. 

It took a fluid move from the back to the right wing. Mashego finished off Mbuyane's cross in the 81st minute. Mashego took a first time shot to beat Itumeleng Khune at the far post. Amakhosi started to push forward for an equaliser that was never going to be. It was a long through ball that Tlou ran for, and was brought down in the box and Mahamutsa had the luxury to balloon it over bar, blowing the chance to blow Chiefs away convincingly.   

The Buccaneers held on to book a date with the Soweto giants, Moroka Swallows at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday next week at 20:15. The Dube Birds dispatched Ajax Cape Town in the other semi-finals. Happy people will surely spend a glorious week.

Orlando Pirates Blasts Kaizer Chiefs To Reach MTN-8 Finals.

Kaizer Chiefs were never going to beat a team whose moment had come, Orlando Pirates today. They played a dull first half without any risks from either side. There were occasional kick and rush moments that were neutralised by bad passing. Tackles were little bit careless in midfield. Chiefs were not going to expose their rear guard for nothing and their lack of committment in attack took the spark from the derby.

Abia Nale and Simphiwe Tshabalala dictated the pace of the proceedings and slowing the match to their advantage. They tried to thread the ball through to Mandla Masango and Knowledge Musona who were a little wasteful, being well-monitored by Lucky Lekgwathi. Diane Klate, Thulane Mabuyane  and Dikgang Mabalane were well supported in attack by Isaac Chansa. Pirates depended on their pace going into the final third but over-elaborated in the box being wasteful. Andile Jali was very instrumental in winning the balls in midfield.

The second half started with a more calculated rate from both sides and Chiefs created better chances that included a strike against the bar in the 51st minute, with Monoeeb Joseph soundly beaten. Pirates responded with further creation of chances after introducing Katlego Mashego and Tlou Segolela. Chiefs became more resolute with Tinashe Nengomashe being called in to neutralise the Buccaneer effect.

The Happy Peoples seemed a little anxious and desperate to construct purposeful offensive raids as they rushed their penetration. The 78% ball possession could not be translated into anything meaningful. The trademark wasteful nature of the Sea Robbers was vivid as Mahamutsa could have scored from close range in the 67th minute.

Mbuyane could not be outdone by Mahamutsa as he wasted the what was the chance of the match, until the penalty miss, with only 16 minute of play remaining. Segolela proved he is the fasted player in South Africa as he chased lose balls and crossing the ball before anyone arrived in the box. Klate could have done with a few inches to nod Tlou's crosses. A taller Mayambela replaced Klate in the 76th minute. 

It took a fluid move from the back to the right wing. Mashego finished off Mbuyane's cross in the 81st minute. Mashego took a first time shot to beat Itumeleng Khune at the far post. Amakhosi started to push forward for an equaliser that was never going to be. It was a long through ball that Tlou ran for, and was brought down in the box and Mahamutsa had the luxury to balloon it over bar, blowing the chance to blow Chiefs away convincingly.   

The Buccaneers held on to book a date with the Soweto giants, Moroka Swallows at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday next week at 20:15. The Dube Birds dispatched Ajax Cape Town in the other semi-finals. Happy people will surely spend a glorious week.

Orlando Pirates Blasts Kaizer Chiefs To Reach MTN-8 Finals.

Kaizer Chiefs were never going to beat a team whose moment had come, Orlando Pirates today. They played a dull first half without any risks from either side. There were occasional kick and rush moments that were neutralised by bad passing. Tackles were little bit careless in midfield. Chiefs were not going to expose their rear guard for nothing and their lack of committment in attack took the spark from the derby.

Abia Nale and Simphiwe Tshabalala dictated the pace of the proceedings and slowing the match to their advantage. They tried to thread the ball through to Mandla Masango and Knowledge Musona who were a little wasteful, being well-monitored by Lucky Lekgwathi. Diane Klate, Thulane Mabuyane  and Dikgang Mabalane were well supported in attack by Isaac Chansa. Pirates depended on their pace going into the final third but over-elaborated in the box being wasteful. Andile Jali was very instrumental in winning the balls in midfield.

The second half started with a more calculated rate from both sides and Chiefs created better chances that included a strike against the bar in the 51st minute, with Monoeeb Joseph soundly beaten. Pirates responded with further creation of chances after introducing Katlego Mashego and Tlou Segolela. Chiefs became more resolute with Tinashe Nengomashe being called in to neutralise the Buccaneer effect.

The Happy Peoples seemed a little anxious and desperate to construct purposeful offensive raids as they rushed their penetration. The 78% ball possession could not be translated into anything meaningful. The trademark wasteful nature of the Sea Robbers was vivid as Mahamutsa could have scored from close range in the 67th minute.

Mbuyane could not be outdone by Mahamutsa as he wasted the what was the chance of the match, until the penalty miss, with only 16 minute of play remaining. Segolela proved he is the fasted player in South Africa as he chased lose balls and crossing the ball before anyone arrived in the box. Klate could have done with a few inches to nod Tlou's crosses. A taller Mayambela replaced Klate in the 76th minute. 

It took a fluid move from the back to the right wing. Mashego finished off Mbuyane's cross in the 81st minute. Mashego took a first time shot to beat Itumeleng Khune at the far post. Amakhosi started to push forward for an equaliser that was never going to be. It was a long through ball that Tlou ran for, and was brought down in the box and Mahamutsa had the luxury to balloon it over bar, blowing the chance to blow Chiefs away convincingly.   

The Buccaneers held on to book a date with the Soweto giants, Moroka Swallows at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday next week at 20:15. The Dube Birds dispatched Ajax Cape Town in the other semi-finals. Happy people will surely spend a glorious week.