Match Review: Orlando Pirates Vs. Manchester City

Orlando Pirates netted a deserved victory over visiting Manchester City in the opening game of the 2009 Vodacom Challenge at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday afternoon.

Goals from Lucas Thwala (penalty) and second half substitute Phenyo Mogale were enough to send The Ghost into delirium, their first win against a visiting team since the format of the competition changed in 2006 to include sides outside of Africa.

Bennett Chenene had a shot in the first few seconds, before Craig Bellamy missed his header from point-blank range after an excellent piece of work from the skilful Martin Petrov down the left-hand side.

The Pirates defensive set-up was looking edgy early on, particularly new Democratic Republic of Congo recruit, midfielder Blaise Kiaku, while Vladimir Weiss had a volleyed effort direct from a corner 30-yards out, but his shot was into the side-netting.

The game struggled for rhythm for most of the first half, before Pirates won a penalty on 41 minutes.

Cameroon import Frank Olivier, who had been getting a rough time from The Ghost in the opening period, was held back in the area by young Manchester City centre-back Ben Mee. Thwala converted from the spot and The Buccaneers had the lead.

Valeri Bojinov had a header from close-range fly over, while Kiaku shot over on the volley from just outside the area.

Pirates made four changes at the break, Andile Jali, Ndumiso Mabena, Joseph Kamwendo and Mogale replacing Olivier, Kiaku, Oupa Manyisa and Chenene, while City brought on former Jomo Cosmos striker Benjani Mwaruwari and Javal Vidal for Craig Bellamy and Michael Johnson.

Petrov went close with a free-kick from 35-yards that flew just over the bar, but trialist Mogale got the second goal in the 56th minute.

His attempted cross floated over City goalkeeper Stuart Taylor, and while the player will no doubt claim he meant it, the goal did have an element of fortune.

Petrov had another free-kick, this time straight into the arms of Moeneeb Josephs, while Taylor was forced into a smart save at the feet of Mabena.

An excellent run and turn from Benjani set up substitute Fillipe Caicedo, but he shot straight at Josephs, while Kamwendo stung the palms of Taylor with a thunder-bolt from just outside the area that the keeper was able to beat away.

Another substitute, Reason Chiloane, could have made it 3-0 just before the end, but his shot when one-on-one with Taylor rebounded back off the post and away to safety.

Pirates: 16. Moeneeb Josephs – 26. Mahamutsa Rooi, 32. Lucas Thwala, 38. Zvenyika Makonese, 14. Lucky Lekgwathi – 5. Dikgang Mabalane, 25 Frank Olivier (15. Ndumiso Mabena 46th), 3. Blaise Kiaku (12. Andile Jali 46th), 36. Oupa Manyisa (8. Phenyo Mogale 46th), 42. Bennett Chenene (7. Joseph Kamwendo 46th), 40. Siphelele Mthembu (20. Reason Chiloane 64th)

Man City: 12. Stuart Taylor – 5. Pablo Zabaleta, 26. Tal Ben-Heim, 41. Ben Mee, 15. Javier Garrido – 40. Vladimir Weiss, 7. Stephen Ireland (34. Nigel de Jong 69th), 6. Michael Johnson (36. Javal Vidal 46th), 17. Martin Petrov – 9. Valari Bojinov (20. Fillipe Caicedo 69th), 39. Craig Bellamy (27. Benjani Mwaruwari 46th)

Yellow cards: Bellamy 41, Jali 90