Bucs wallop Amakhosi

Mamelodi Sundowns should be worried – very worried – when they look over their shoulders in the title race.

After Orlando Pirates massacred rivals Kaizer Chiefs yesterday, the bid for the Absa Premiership title looks like a two-horse race as the Happy People will not go down without a good fight.

Pirates have been the most consistent of all the title challengers, and Pitso Mosimane will not be at ease knowing that any slip-up from his side will bring the Buccaneers even closer.

With the gap now narrowed to four points, it looks like the race will go down to the wire, and Pirates will smell Sundowns’ blood and go for broke until the end.

After yesterday’s game, which was more than entertaining, those who thought the derby was dead should best think otherwise.

For the first time in many games, the two teams gave as much as they got, but it was the Buccaneers who did it in style in front of the birthday boy, Julius Malema, who was celebrating his 37th year.

The Economic Freedom Fighters leader could not have asked for a better birthday present than the Bucs’ three precious points, and could not help it when he did the crossbones sign – to the delight of Bucs supporters.

The first half lived up to expectations as both sides asked questions from the start. It was evident from the first whistle that supporters were in for an exciting afternoon.

An inspired substitution at the break by coach Milutin Sredojevic changed the complexion of the game.

After the two teams had gone to the interval locked at 1-1, Micho pulled a masterstroke when he introduced Luvuyo Memela for the ineffective Bernard Morrison.

Memela made an instant impact one minute into the second half, when he scored with his first touch to restore Pirates’ lead.

Despite the game being played mostly in the centre of the field, the two sides did create goal chances.

Pirates came to the game on the back of a resounding victory over Chippa United last weekend, while Chiefs failed to score in their draw with Bloemfontein Celtic.

It was clear that the Buccaneers’ aim was to continue where they left off last weekend, when they were caught offside three times in the space of three minutes early on in the game.

They wanted an early goal to unsettle and rattle Chiefs, and they duly got their name on the scoreboard when Thembinkosi Lorch caught Chiefs’ defence napping and seized the opportunity.

Amakhosi were not to be outdone and levelled matters through a neat header by Leonardo Castro in the 28th minute.

Chiefs’ ploy was to use the aerial advantage they had over Pirates, with crosses aimed at Castro and his partner Ryan Moon.

Castro benefited from Siphiwe Tshabalala’s free kick when he out-jumped his marker to score his second goal since joining Chiefs.

It was obvious that we were in for an interesting second half, which belonged to Pirates, who came back strong and put Chiefs under pressure.

The Buccaneers dominated the proceedings and ensured one-way traffic.

Memela put matters beyond Chiefs’ reach with his second goal of the afternoon, to the delight of Pirates supporters.

The goals could – and should have been – more as the Buccaneers ran riot in front of Itumeleng Khune’s goal posts, but fluffed their chances.

Chiefs put a good shift, but found Pirates goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane in excellent form.

Mpontshane, who was a surprise inclusion to the team in the position of regular goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane, justified his selection in his second game of the season.

He denied Chiefs more goals and kept his team in the game.

Khune thwarted Mthokozisi Dube’s attempt at a fourth goal when he tipped the ball over the bar late in the game.

In the end, the match belonged to Pirates, who were worthy winners of the three points. They closed the gap on Sundowns to make the title challenge more interesting.

The defeat could spell trouble for Sundowns coach Steve Komphela, who is now facing the prospect of finishing a third season without silverware.

It will take something extraordinary for Chiefs, who are sitting eight points behind log leaders Sundowns, to get back into title contention.

But it doesn’t look likely as Chiefs have not been inspiring confidence lately.

If Pirates continue with this kind of form, those who discarded them earlier in the title race might have to eat humble pie at the end of the season.

As for Chiefs, it is back to the drawing board for the umpteenth time.

Sundowns better heed the warning signs – the title race is going to be one hell of a fight and supporters are in for a bumpy ride.