Polokwane City 0
Orlando Pirates (2) 3
Erasmus 30, Qalinge 43, Majoro 86
Peter Mokaba Stadium - The Orlando Pirates that coach Vladimir Vermezovic promised fans would see and fall in love with come August are finally here for all to see.
The Buccaneers are not only winning, but they are doing it with the guile the supporters pay to see. The tricks and flicks, the movement in and around the box and short passes in midfield are a joy to watch. And the goals? Well the goals are just superb.
Their last nine goals, which include yesterday’s three against Polokwane City in an Absa Premiership clash here, are the type of goals you’d not mind watching over and over again.
Man of the moment Kermit Eramus continued from where he left off against Mamelodi Sundowns last Wednesday with a cool finish, and recent signing Thabo Qalinge fired in a cracker in his first start for the Buccaneers just two minutes before half-time. Lehlohonolo Majoro, another in-form player, capped a fantastic week with his fourth goal in three games four minutes from time as the visitors registered their second straight victory in the league.
Qalinge, in the line-up ahead of Daine Klate, was one of three changes made to the team which started in the 3-0 victory over the defending champion Sundowns and he certainly made his mark, unleashing a powerful shot which gave City goalkeeper Dino Visser no chance whatsoever two minutes before the break.
Erasmus played an important role in Qalinge’s goal, cheekily leaving Mpho Makola’s cross which fell kindly for the former Black Aces winger to brilliantly finish.
It was a great contribution all round in the first half from Erasmus, who had earlier showed composure as he fired a shot which hit the crossbar and went into the back of the net for his fifth goal in all competitions thus far.
The Buccaneers, who were under no pressure at all from the hosts, were comfortable going into the break with the two-goal advantage, but they played the second half as though they were trailing. Just 10 minutes into the half, midfielder Makola, who was brought back into the starting line-up ahead of Senegalese anchorman Issa Sarr, unleashed a powerful shot which Visser could only hold onto at the second attempt.
Pirates, who scored three goals against Bidvest Wits in the Cup last weekend and three more against Sundowns in midweek, were looking for their third goal and on the hour, coach Vermezovic told striker Majoro to get ready to come on, a call met with a loud roar from the crowd.
Majoro has been the club’s “super sub” in recent matches, scoring three goals in the two matches prior to yesterday’s encounter, and the supporters were hoping that his introduction would produce more goals.
It certainly did. The former Kaizer Chiefs man netted Pirates’ third of the game, keeping his cool in a one-on-one situation with Visser, who could do little to stop the shot.
City, who beat Pirates 1-0 here last season, will have to make major improvements to their defence if they want to see themselves far away from the relegation battle. They have now conceded 10 goals in their five PSL matches thus far. Not even the signing of Benson Mhlongo, a solid player, has helped them.
Sunday Independent