Orlando Pirates scored a stunning 2-0 win over big spending English Premiership outfit Manchester City in an action packed Vodacom Challenge clash at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

It was a great start to the pre-season for Pirates and coach Rudd Krol. Bucs were minus their four Bafana Bafana stars, striker Katlego Mashego, midfield playmaker Teko Modise, plus defenders Innocent Mdledle and midfield anchorman Benson Mhlongo who were rested by Krol after helping Bafana finish fourth in last month's Confederations Cup played in South Africa.

City failed to adapt to the conditions and to 'Bucs' pace and can have few complaints about the result. For 'Bucs', the win will be just the tonic the players need for their second Challenge showdown — the Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs in Port Elizabeth on Thursday night.

A sensational second goal in the 56th minute by Bucs newcomer Phenyo Mongala in the 56th minute sealed the victory for the 'Buccaneers'. It was the perfect debut for the Botswana born midfielder who was signed in the off-season and came on as a second half substitute.

Disappointing for the local fans was the absence of City's new striking partnership, Carlos Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz who manager Mark Hughes bought along with England international midfielder Gareth Barry who started on the bench. But neither Argentine star Tevez not Paraguay international Santa Cruz were on the team sheet but are expected to play when City face Chiefs in their second Challenge match at Durban's Absa Stadium on Tuesday night.

The trio arrived in South Africa on Friday a day later than the rest of the squad. Argentine international Tevez was signed earlier this week from neighbours Manchester United.

Pirates had the edge in an entertaining first half and were rewarded when Namibian referee Alex Tiyeho awarded Bucs a penalty when he judged that City defender Ben Mee had fouled Pirates Cameroon striker Frank Olivier inside the penalty area.

Bucs' leading goal scorer from last season — defender Lucas Thwala made no mistake in beating City's second string keeper Stuart Taylor with a well taken spot kick much to the delight of the Pirates fans in the capacity crowd.

Pirates' two wingers, Dikgang Mabalane and Bennet Chenene impressed on the right and left wings respectively causing the City defender some anxious moments with their dribbling skills and crosses into the penalty area.

Chenene tested Taylor with a ground shot from the kick-off signalling Bucs intentions of taking the game to their more experienced opponents. City's Bulgarian international Martin Petrov was causing problems on the left for Pirates. 'Bucs' had a lucky escape in the eighth minute when Vladimir Weiss's header from a well aimed Petrov cross was deflected for a corner.

Then Weiss was unlucky with a 30 metre volley that flew past the woodwork from a Petrov corner in the 14th minute. Petrov came close again three minutes later when his shot went narrowly wide of the upright.

Then came the penalty and the massive crowd went wild as Thwala slotted Pirates into a 1-0 lead 10 minutes from the interval.

City's Welsh international striker Craig Bellamy was booked for dissent after he disputed an offside call against him. Bellamy was replaced by Benjani Mwaruwari after the interval.

Krol made four changes at halftime including bringing on Mongala, who joined Bucs from First Division outfit Pretoria University. Mongala won the hearts of the fans when he beat Taylor with a brilliant long range shot from the left.

City looked to be struggling for fitness in the second half as Bucs piled on the pressure. Taylor came to the rescue again in the 75th minute when he did well to deny Bucs substitute Josephy Kamwendo a third goal.

The post saved City from an embarrassing 3-0 defeat when another Bucs substitute Reason Chiloane beat Taylor but his shot cannoned off the post three minutes from time.

'Bucs' never looked in any danger against their English opponents who failed make any impression on the Bucs defence during a second half where the hosts were on top and deserved their comfortable victory.

Sapa

RSS
Digg
de.li.cious
facebook