Pirates swoop on disorganised Birds
New season, new coach, new goal scorer! Orlando Pirates had a fine start to their Dstv Premiership campaign yesterday afternoon.
At a packed Orlando Stadium, Pirates claimed Soweto’s bragging rights as they beat a coach-less Swallows side 1-0.
The crowd attendance was quite pleasing in a Soweto derby clash that was expected to set the tone for the new season for both teams. The Ghosts, who were starved of silverware by their team last season, came out in numbers and filled the first level.
While Pirates were eager to start life on a high note under new coach Jose Riveiro, Swallows were without their coaches in the dugout.
Coach Dylan Kerr and his assistant Fani Madida missed the match, with Musa Nyatama doubling up as a player-coach.
Unlike the Dube Birds who had six debutants, Riveiro kept the core of the team from last term, with just three new faces in his starting line-up.
Nkosinathi Sibisi and Tapelo Xoki got starting debuts in Pirates’ central defence, while Bienvenu Eva Nga also made his debut.
Eva Nga put Bucs ahead in the 10th minute to send Orlando into a frenzy. Kabelo Dlamini found space inside the box and teed up Eva Nga, who placed a hard shot into the bottom corner.
That should have been the Cameroonian’s second goal, had he not blazed an earlier effort over the crossbar.
After the goal Pirates continued to dominate in midfield, where Thabang Monare and Goodman Mosele rotated the ball well.
Pirates started the second half on a high note, with Thabiso Monyane posing a threat to Swallows’ left-back Tshidiso Patjie. Monyane should have grabbed an assist early in the half, but Deon Hotto passed a loose ball into the hands of ‘keeper Thakasani Mbanjwa.
Swallows’ first real chance fell to Lindokuhle Mtshali. The former Golden Arrows man got onto the end of a loose ball on the edge of the box before forcing Richard Ofori into a great save.
With the game nearing its twilight, Eva Nga had a chance to get a brace on his debut. Thembinkosi Lorch sneaked the ball past his marker and into the path of Eva Nga, who put his shot wide with just Mbanjwa to beat.
The Ghost rolled out the substitution sign, but Riveiro instead applauded his striker’s effort.