Bucs sail past stubborn Chippa United
Super sub Pule scores winner
Orlando Pirates had to negotiate their way past a prickly Chippa United to reach the Telkom Knockout quarterfinals, and did so effectively enough with Saturday night’s 1-0 last-16 victory at Orlando Stadium.
Substitute Vincent Pule’s 60th-minute strike separated the teams.
Neither side could edge a clear domination in a gratingly edgy opening half.
Thabo Rakhale had the first shot in anger against his old team for Chippa, with a drive from the edge of the area that was very well high over the crossbar.
In the 36th minute, Augustine Mulenga produced a characteristically bullish run into the area and was dispossessed, Justin Shonga taking the loose ball, turning and shooting for Daniel Akpeyi to produce a fine diving one-handed save.
Perhaps the most eventful occurence of a dull first half was Chippa coach Eric Tinkler, after giving his left wing captain Mark Mayambela a mouthful, substituting him three minutes before the break with Daine Klate.
Pirates also made an early substitution, Pule replacing Mulenga coming back from the change rooms.
The second half saw the football open up to a far greater extent. Pule’s corner was uncleared and fell for Pirates’ new Brazilian centreback Marcelo Da Silva, who struck the right upright.
Tinkler responded by bringing on Rhulani Manzini for Kurt Lentjies.
The chances were coming, and someone seemed likely to score. It was Pule for Pirates.
Bucs on the counterattack fed Xola Mlambo to the right goalline who cut the ball back for Pule, ghosting in at the near post, to finish past Akpeyi.
Soon Klate’s free-kick onto the top netting came close to equalising for Chippa. Gamildien’s header from Klate’s corner also threatened.
Bucs successfully closed out the final quarter.