Revenge as Pirates beat Chiefs on penalties

It was sweet revenge for Orlando Pirates after they reached the final of the Telkom Charity Cup at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday where they defeated arch rivals Kaizer Chiefs 5-4 on a penalty shootout after the teams were level 1-1 at full time in the second Charity Cup semi-final.

It was almost a replay of their Vodacom Challenge clash in Port Elizabeth 10 days ago which also ended 1-1 at full time but Chiefs edged that one 4-3 on a sudden death penalty shootout.

Chiefs held the edge in a hard fought first 45 minutes. Despite the greasy pitch both sides managed to produce a competitive opening half worthy of a Soweto Derby.

Amakhosi got off to a perfect start when Zimbabwean striker Knowledge Musona netted his second goal for his new club after joining Chiefs in the off-season, to put Amakhosi into the lead after only three minutes.

The goal came when Bucs failed to defend a long throw-in from fellow Zimbabwean Zhiamo Jambo. The throw-in was flicked on by Jose Torrealba to Musona who hit the ball into the ground and was delighted when the ball flew into the roof of the net.

Chiefs reserve keeper Thela Ngobeni again underlined his promise when he denied Pirates talisman Teko Modise an equaliser in the 23rd minute with a fine save.

At the other end Bucs keeper Moeneeb Josephs pulled off two magnificent saves off Gerald Sibeko to keep his side in the match. Josephs made his first save off a Sibeko header in the 25th minute. But his best stop came in the 38th minute when the agile Bucs keeper did brilliantly to palm Sibeko's powerful close range volley for a corner.

Bucs were on top after the break and made it 1-1 four minutes after the restart when Chiefs defenders slipped in the wet conditions and failed to clear a dangerous cross from Dikgang Mabalane. The ball was picked up by Modise who set up deadly Katlego Mashego, who hammered home the equaliser from close range.

Ngobeni made a brilliant save from a close range bullet from Mashego five minutes from time to take the game into penalties.

But Amakhosi coach Vladimir Vermezovic decided to bring on his Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune a minute later as the penalty shootout loomed. Khune's young brother, striker Lucky, made it a family affair when he came on to join his big brother.

Lucky Khune could have made it a debut to remember had he headed home in injury time, instead the ball flew over the crossbar. - Sapa