Soweto derby: No razzmatazz
at FNB Stadium THIS game had draw written all over it before it even started.
Five men across midfield for both sides and one striker at either end of the pitch, Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter and his Orlando Pirates counterpart Eric Tinkler were clearly playing not to lose yesterday, rather than playing to win.
They were cautious in their approach, especially in the first period when the teams were sizing one another up, and this is why this famous game in South African football is no longer the entertaining clash it used to be.
Sure, the second half was much better than the first as both sides tried to push for the winner, but the fact that the goalkeepers were hardly test- ed shows just how much these Soweto giants have become content with just a point whenever they play one another.
It’s no wonder most of the legends from both teams say this game is missing that spark it used to have.
First touches were not always great, passes at times went astray and when chances to shoot were presented, no one wanted to take the responsibility.
Leaders Amakhosi, who were the favourites, struggled to put together a string of passes in the first half, losing the ball as soon as they entered the Pirates half.
The first time Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo touched the ball was after 25 minutes, when he came off his line to easily gather Tsepo Masilela’s cross.
Amakhosi’s first clear-cut opportunity was presented after half an hour, when an unmarked Eric Mathoho directed his close-range header from a Bernard Parker set piece over the bar.
Pirates were no better. They may have had most of the possession in the first period, but they did nothing with it, not even forcing a save out of Amakhosi keeper Itumeleng Khune.
Fans must have been wishing a guy like Steve Lekoelea, who was in the stands, was on the pitch to liven up the game.
Lekoelea was a crowd pleaser during his playing days and it’s exactly what was needed yesterday, someone to create something out of nothing.
Amakhosi were much better in the second half, the hosts coming close to opening the scoring twice in the first 10 minutes. First midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane forced a save from Mhlongo with a left-footed curling shot which was struck from outside the box and not too long. Then Siphiwe Tshabalala’s deflected shot came off the crossbar.
On the hour mark, Tinkler made the bizarre decision to take off Lehlohonolo Majoro and bring on Kermit Erasmus. Bucs were no threat with one man upfront and you’d think that Tinkler would have played the pair together to unsettle Amakhosi’s defenders.
Sifiso Myeni’s well-struck shot hit the crossbar a few minutes after the substitution, but Amakhosi were more aggressive towards the end, although they could not get that winner. LOTS OF ACTION, NO GOALS: Reneilwe Letsholonyane tries to get away from Mpo Makola