Buccaneers outshine lowly Stars
WATCHING from the stands, coach-in-waiting Vladimir Vermezovic must have seen plenty of areas on which to improve as Orlando Pirates made heavier work than they should have in dispatching of Free State Stars in this Absa Premiership match.
It was a clinical victory for the Buccaneers against the relegation stragglers, thanks to goals early in the second half by Thabo Matlaba and Mpho Makola.
New striker Lehlohonolo Majoro was introduced to the fans before the kick off, but there was no room for the former Kaizer Chiefs player in the starting line-up.
Caretaker-coach Eric Tinkler started with the same XI that beat Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 in Pretoria on Tuesday. Ntshikelelo Nyauza, the new signing from Roses United, kept his place at right back following his debut against Downs, even though Ayanda Gcaba was back from suspension.
Vermezovic, still waiting for his work permit, made a first appearance at the stadium following the announcement of his appointment two weeks ago.
Stars offered precious little last night. The PSL’s secondlast placed team still have a game in hand on most sides around them, but look set for a desperate relegation battle.
On another night, a more forceful Pirates might have given a somewhat timid Stars a far sounder beating.
It was the story of Pirates’ season in the first half, with plenty of shots on goal though no result.
Makola and Kethowakhe Masuku are not exactly the kind of wide players who get behind defences with pacey runs into the final third of the pitch.
They both played with their respective fullbacks in front of them and Bucs, despite a glut of possession and territory handed to them by Stars, relied on a procession of shots from range to try and beat goalkeeper Tshepo Motsoeneng.
The best of these came from striker Helder Pelembe, turning on the edge of the box and forcing a firm save. Masuku had two of his own that came close. Lucky Lekgwathi’s header just wide from Masuku’s corner in the 12th minute was a rare chance from within the area.
Bucs rectified their mistakes early in the second half, though it took a defender to make a darting run into the area and score.
Matlaba generally plays like a winger anyhow, and was picked out by a sharp pass from Makola on the edge of the box, producing a low finish past Motsoeneng in the 48th minute.
Makola got the second in the 56th minute.