Vodacom Challenge, Play off match


Eastern Province Rugby Stadium


Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape


Thursday 26th July 2007


20h30


Playing Conditions: Partly cloudy to cloudy late afternoon showers temperature at kick off 23°C

Kaizer Chiefs lost to Orlando Pirates for the first in more than two years in all competitions when they went down at the hands of their fiercest rivals in a Vodacom Challenge play-off in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday evening.

The last time Chiefs lost to their Soweto rivals was back in the final of the 2005 Vodacom Challenge final. On Wednesday evening a lone Bennet Chenene strike on 57 minutes was enough to put Orlando Pirates into Saturday’s final against Tottenham Hotspurs.

With both teams adopting a curious and cautious approach to the game it was clearly evident inside the opening quarter of an hour that a single goal would win the game, and as it stood Chenene’s goal was enough to send the defending champions out of the tournament. While both teams tested the waters in what can be described as a dour first half, the second forty minutes were more open with both teams playing attractive attacking football. The second half display from both teams was a reward to the large crowd in Port Elizabeth who turned out in Port Elizabeth, for braving the cold and coming out in force to watch the two Soweto giants go head to head.

45 minutes of few chances

Both teams lacked enterprise in the first half and did not manage to string together too many passes, in a half which was mainly characterized by either team losing possession of the ball too easily. The Achilles heel of The Amakhosi’s first half had to be on the right side of midfield where Arthur Zwane was basically rendered in effective, as he was unable to pass his marker and get crosses into the danger zone for the hard working strike force of Shaun Bartlett and Mabhuti Khenyeza.

Mabhuti Khenyeza must be given credit for running non stop for 90 minutes, the dreadlocked striker was at the fore in the 17th minute, as he gently lobbed the ball over the Pirates defence for strike partner Shaun Bartlett. Who ran around the Pirates defence and flicked the ball goal wards, by the time Bartlett made contact with the ball Pirates keeper Chansa had come out and punched the ball clear.

The final piece of action of the first half saw Thabo Mooki curl a free kick on the edge of the Pirates 18 yard area, over the defence wall after Siphiwe Tshabalala had initially been brought down. Francis Chansa though was equal to the challenge and tracked Mooki’s free kick all the way as he eventually punched the ball over his goal post to safety, this piece of play occurred in the 42 minute.

Chenene strikes

The second half began with both teams displaying intent to get more forward and test each others last line of defence, Pirates almost got a lucky break straight from the kick off when Destin Makita’s cross from the right went through the arms of Chiefs keeper Markus Bocsker. The Chiefs keeper’s blushes were spared by Jimmy Tau who was standing behind his keeper and was able to clear the danger away, Siphiwe Tshabalala smashed a powerful volley into the side netting in the 51st minute in what was a culmination of a move which involved a number of Chiefs players.

Pirates got the only goal of the game after 57 minutes as Leboghang Mokoena was able to pick out Bennet Chenene with a cross from the left, Chenene who was on target when the teams played to a 1-1 draw in a league game back in April. Was able to connect with Mokoena’s cross and volleyed the ball across the face of goal and past the despairing lunge of Bocsker, to score what was to be the goal that put Pirates into Saturday’s Vodacom Challenge Final.

Tshabalala misfortune

Siphiwe Tshabalala who had made cameo appearances in Chiefs two previous pre-season outings against Black Leopards and Tottenham Hotspurs, was handed a starting role by Muhsin Ertugral on Thursday evening. It was widely felt that the young midfielder who had combined well with the likes of Tinashe Nengomasha in the centre of the park, had recovered enough to play a full game. Tshabalala’s evening ended in despair after he limped of the field in the seventieth minute and was replaced by David Radebe, after he came out the worse for wear as Pirates Josephy Kamwendo went in with studs up on the Bafana Bafana player.

No title number five

The defending champions will not be taking to the field and will be unable to hold on to the trophy they won a year ago, when they defeated Manchester United in the 2006 Vodacom Challenge Final. As a result of their loss to Pirates which also means that Chiefs will have to wait another year to try and win their fifth Vodacom Challenge title, Muhsin Ertugral and his men will head back to Gauteng with their attention firmly on next weekends Telkom Charity Cup tournament to be played in Mmabatho in the North West Province. Victory in the Telkom Charity Cup will be the perfect sweetener for Muhsin Ertugral to wash away Thursday bitter loss to arch rivals Pirates, returning from Mmabatho with the Telkom charity cup will also be perfect way for Chiefs to round off their pre – season preparations.

Starting Eleven:

Kaizer Chiefs (4-4-2): 1. Markus Bocsker, 2. Jimmy Tau, 3. Onismor Bhasera, 4. Cyril Nzama, 8. Tinashe Nengomasha, 21. Patrick Mayo, 12. Thabo Mooki, 14. Siphiwe Tshabalala, 18. Arthur Zwane, 17. Shaun Bartlett, 5. Mabhuti Khenyeza

Coach: Muhsin Ertugral


Assistant Coach: Fani Madida

Substitutions:


In: 26. Thuso Phala, Out: 18. Arthur Zwane 56 min


In: 25. Gert Schalkwyk, Out: 12. Thabo Mooki 63 min


In: 31. David Radebe, Out: 14. Siphiwe Tshabalala 70 min


In: 24. David Mathebula, Out: 21. Patrick Mayo 74 min

Substitutes not used: 32. Khune, 27. Sibeko, 23. Bulu, 28. Spencer, 22. Masango,

Starting Eleven:

Orlando Pirates: (4-4-2): 44. Francis Chansa, 14. Lucky Lekgwathi, 43. Destin Makita,

17. Lehlohonolo Seema, 19. Innocent Mdledle, 06. Mlungisi Gumbi,

07. Josephy Kamwendo, 24. Joseph Makhanya, 11. Bennet Chenene,

23. Lebohang Mokoena, 36. Ralph Matema

Substitutions:


In: 16. Tlou Segolela, Out: 24. Joseph Makhanya 59 min


In: 08. Excellent Walaza, Out: 46. Ralph Matema 86 min


In: 25. Fikru Tefera, Out: 23. Leboghang Mokoena 90+2 min

Substitutes not used: 30. Meyiwa, 33. Chabalala, 34. Mazana, 31. Mlambo, 18. Merahe, 20. Ramudzuli, 12. Mashaba, 09. Bucuane,

Cautions:
Yellow Cards: 07. Josephy Kamwendo 69 min, 08. Excellent Walaza 90+1 min

Coach: Bibey Mutombo


Assistant Coach: Chris O’ Loughlin


Assistant Coach: Papi Khomane

Match Officials:


Referee: Rajindraparsad Seechurn (Mauritius)


Assistant 1: Lazaraus Matela


Assistant 2: Reginald Mtoloung


4th Official: Jerome Damon