Benni left looking on as the Buccaneers show signs of revival under ‘Micho’
JOHANNESBURG: It was quite fitting that Benni McCarthy was somehow involved in a win that should inspire this Pirates’ generation to be like the side McCarthy left as South African champions four years ago.
McCarthy and company fought until the end no matter how high the odds were stacked against them were in the Sea Robbers’ march to successive domestic trebles. That spirit wasn’t there in the years after that, leading to their miserable campaign last season.
This side is still far from McCarthy’s all-conquering Pirates, but last night they fought until the end to register their most crucial win this season. Thabo Qalinge inspired the Buccaneers to a win that should give Pirates confidence going into their clash with the reigning league champions Wits on Saturday.
But the Buccaneers laboured to get a win in a match they played second fiddle to City. An anguish-filled scream from coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic, which bounced off the orange seats and reverberated inside the FNB Stadium, summed up what it’s like to watch this Pirates team. They’re still far from a finished product much to the frustration of those associated with the club. But at least they don’t wilt under pressure like they did last season.
Musa Nyatama had a nightmare of a game, not only missing a glorious chance, but also struggling to control the midfield. He gave away the ball cheaply from the pressure that Mpho Matsi and Roland Putsche put on him.
The City pair bossed the midfield through Putsche’s high work rate and Matsi’s good passing abilities. While Nyatama struggled, Mpho Makola was missing in action, leaving his midfield partner isolated. The Buccaneers were disjointed in their attack, lacking any creative spark as they relied on luck more than an organised structure.
City played like the home team, they were more confident and easily controlled the game. The only thing that worried them was the sight of Putsche getting a knock that resulted in him not returning for the second half, with Letsie Koapeng taking his place.
This match was the biggest test for the Buccaneers’ defence so far, and they managed to come out with a pass mark. Sredojevic has been using former fullbacks, Ntsikelelo Nyauza and Happy Jele as centre-backs while Innocent Maela and Dube operate as fullbacks.
Maela and Dube have brought a lot of energy in a defence that conceded 40 goals in the PSL last season. A lot of that has been down to Wayne Sandilands, who has proved to be an inspired buy.