Pirates late show saves the day
' ( )*+ * , - ).+ * MARITZBURG United could have and should have won this game but Orlando Pirates resolve and class saw them rescue a point.
Passion, high tempers, skills and goals were bundled into one delightful package in this footballing spectacle.
Question marks remain over both teams’ defensive abilities but the lack of caution contributed to what could be one of the games of the season.
Maritzburg will be happy with how they stayed in the fight but should they get relegated, they will look back at this game as one they should have won.
Like a parent who overspent during the festive season, Orlando Pirates’ defence was bereft of ideas.
The three first half goals scored by Mondli Cele, Evans Rusike and Brian Onyango were preventable.
Fooled by the considerable amount they spent in Maritzburg’s half, Pirates’ defenders thought they were auxilliary attacks.
Right back Ntsikelelo Nyauza was doing all the right attacking but abandoned his defensive duties.
The goals had their origins from his side of the field where Deolin Mekoa motored down the left flank like a performance vehicle unleashed in an autobahn.
Ernst Middendorp’s team deserved their handsome lead with their pragmatic and uncompromising style.
Not at any stage did they try to outPirates Pirates, who were intent on entertaining and over-elaborating.
Thabo Rakhale was the ringleader in the entertainment stakes and his wastfulness summed up how lightly Pirates seemed to take the bottomplaced team. What Pirates needed was substance over style and they provided plenty of that in the second half.
Maritzburg’s intent and purpose on attack caught Pirates by surprise but their accuracy in execution was amazing with the front three of Mekoa, Evans Rusike and Mondli Cele at the heart of all the trouble.
Cele opened the home team’s account in the ninth minute after Rusike showed Tsepo Gumede a clean pair of heels which he followed up with a pin-point cross.
After a sustained period of Pirates bombarding Maritzburg’s goal, Mekoa broke free and his delightful chip was well collected and finished by Rusike. Onyango added the third four minutes later after Pirates made a hash of clearing Mekoa's teasing cross.
Maritzburg had their own defensive issues with John Paintsil bearing the brunt of the traffic down the left flank.
Maritzburg gradually faded in the second half and allowed Thabo Matlaba to pull a further one back in the 53rd minute when they failed to clear a cross. The visitors also had the resolute Tawfeeq Salie to deal with as the young stopper pulled off a string of excellent saves.
Mekoa s 74th-minute miss was punished six minutes later when Kermit Erasmus bundled the ball in from a goalmouth scramble. They may live to regret that miss.