EARLIER last week, Muhsin Ertugral was purring when asked about goalkeeper Felipe Ovono, a man who was nearly on his way out at the club until the new Orlando Pirates coach stepped in to throw him a lifeline.
Ovono had been guilty of a classic howler in the Buccaneers’ opening Absa Premier League clash against Golden Arrows in Soweto on Wednesday night, gifting the visitors an equaliser in a match Ertugral’s men eventually clinched with a 3-1 scoreline.
The goalkeeper was under the spotlight in this MTN8 quarter-final fixture, especially after Brighton Mhlongo, the Pirates first choice since the death of Senzo Meyiwa in October 2014, was completely left out of the match day squad. The coach backed his man, claiming he is “good with his feet” and it was a “mistake to put him on the transfer list”.
Pirates fans were not convinced, putting much of the focus on Saturday night’s encounter here at the Bidvest Stadium under much focus – with Ovono the obvious subject. And he did not disappoint – it was his mistake that handed Wits the winning goal, which was scored by captain Thulani Hlatshwayo in the 75th minute.
Ovono, signed last season after an impressive 2015 Africa Cup of Nations with Equatorial Guinea in a tournament that was held in his native country, had moments of brilliance as well as those of extreme calamity in keeping the Buccaneers in the game and taking them out of it at the same time. In fact, Wits’ equaliser in the first half, with Buhle Mkhwanazi cancelling out Oupa Manyisa’s early penalty, was also thanks to the Pirates goalkeeper. Daine Klate sent in a delicious cross from the corner kick and found Mkhwanazi ready to test Ovono – and the man between the sticks failed with flying colours as he struggled to make a routine save and allowing the ball to just narrowly cross the line.
His confidence was never the same. It was clear Wits could sense that Ovono was on edge, nervous and mostly likely error prone as they were relentless in sending long balls into the Pirates box, and the keeper took the bait as he found it difficult to punch out of danger. Not long after never-ending attempts to unsettle Ovono, midfielder Thabang Monare struck from range, a low shot with enough power to put the goalie under pressure, Hlatshwayo was on hand to punish.
It was also a relief for the defender to get on the scoresheet having fouled striker Tendai Ndoro in the first half, which resulted in a penalty, which Manyisa put away. The defeat means Pirates miss out on early season silverware, while the Clever Boys march on into the semi-final, which will be played over two legs. Cape Town City and Platinum Stars are likely opponents, with one Tshwane giant waiting as Mamelodi Sundowns take on city rivals at Loftus Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Gavin Hunt on the other hand is still looking for a first trophy since arriving at Wits four years ago, and on the evidence of having beaten both Pirates tonight and Kaizer Chiefs in their opening Premier League match, there is enough to suggest he might must pull it off this time around. But time will tell. – Independent Media
Follow Mazola Molefeon Twitter @superjourno