Tuesday, 22 May 2012

Bucs do it again


Orlando Pirates secured a historic second straight treble with a 4-2 victory over Golden Arrows in the final game of the season on Saturday.
Benni McCarthy bagged a brace in a thrilling contest at Moses Mabhida Stadium, adding the Premiership crown to Pirates' MTN8 and Telkom Knockout honours this term.
McCarthy, who ends the campaign with 13 goals in all competitions, joined teammates Lucky Lekgwathi and Siyabonga Sangweni on the scoresheet, while fellow veterans Dillon Sheppard and Katlego Mashego netted for the hosts.
In a tense first half, Arrows threatened first as Siyabonga Nkosi's low shot drew a block from Moeneeb Josephs 10 minutes in.
At the other end, Tlou Segolela sabotaged a promising counter when his poor cross bypassed Thulasizwe Mbuyane shortly after.
Pirates defender Thabo Matlaba then came within a whisker of scoring an own goal in the 17th minute, with his wild clearance beating Josephs but not the upright following a left-wing cross by Mzuvukile Tom.
The Sea Robbers, though, drew first blood through Lekgwathi in the 26th minute. The Bucs skipper launched himself to head in a weighted cross by Segolela from the right.
But the lead was short-lived as winger Sheppard hit back with a long range strike seconds later. Josephs was at serious fault as the bouncing ball squeezed past him.
Abafana Bes'thende took control two minutes later as Mashego - on loan from Pirates - curled in a free-kick from 30 yards out. Arrows substitute Thamsanqa Gabuza was bizarrely sent off from the bench for an overzealous goal celebration.
The visitors then came close to equalising through shots from Mbuyane and McCarthy, but keeper Helton Da Rocha made two sharp stops.
However, Bucs got their reward in the 40th minute as former Arrows skipper Sangweni powered in a telling right-wing cross from Daine Klate, leaving it 2-2 at the break.
Pirates went in search of a winner at the restart, with Andile Jali thundering high and wide from range before McCarthy headed a Segolela cross over in the 55th minute.
Bafana Bafana's record scorer, though, was not to be denied when he headed in a long throw from Rooi Mahamutsa in the 61st minute.
The Buccaneers continued to dicate the pace and were rarely troubled, with Arrows suffering a blow when Siyanda Zwane was stretchered off late on.
McCarthy then put the result and title race beyond doubt with a fantastic curling free-kick in injury time. Soccer-Laduma

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