Orlando Pirates coach Ruud Krol praised both teams for the quality of the play after his side beat Manchester City 2-0 in the opening match of the 2009 Vodacom Challenge in Polokwane on Saturday.

Goals from Lucas Thwala (penalty) and trialist Phenyo Mogale saw The Buccaneers claim the win, and Krol was pleased with the work-out for his side.

“It was a very good game, both sides played well and I think it was a good exercise for both teams at this stage of the pre-season,” Krol said. “Both teams like to play good football and that is certainly what I like. It was very pleasing.”

City manager Mark Hughes was also pleased with his side, who, he says, are still finding their way fitness-wise.

“It was quite obvious today that we have players who are at very different levels of conditioning, but games like today is helping us address that,” Hughes says. “From our point of view it was a very good exercise and we were very happy with the quality of the opposition.”

City now move on to Durban where they will meet Kaizer Chiefs at the Absa Stadium on Tuesday night (kick-off 20h15), while Pirates continue their preparations for the Soweto Derby against Amakhosi in Port Elizabeth on Thursday.