HELLENIC (0) 1
(Mnguni 86th minute)
ORLANDO PIRATES (1) 3
(Leremi 4th Mofedi 60th Vilakazi 65th)
Orlando Pirates blew Hellenic away at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday with a performance that sizzled with pace, panache and glorious improvisation on the ball.
The victory took Pirates to second spot on soccer's Premier League table. The Buccaneers have 19 points, just one point behind log leaders Kaizer Chiefs.
It was a deserved win for an impressive Pirates team. They showed the gulf in class between teams in the top half of the table and those at the bottom.
Hellenic were fortunate to only lose by two goals. If Pirates had taken their chances, the scoreline could have taken on monstrous proportions.
But Hellenic were their own worst enemies. They gave the ball away generously - and you cannot surrender possession against a team with the attacking flair of Pirates. And often Pirates were quite happy to play on the counter. They allowed
Hellenic to come at them, waited for the error, and then launched quick, decisive counters.
Hellenic lacked physical presence in the tackle, there was little cohesion to their play and, for the most, it was hope-for-the-best stuff.
Just not good enough.
There's something negative about the body language of Hellenic's players.
Their player potential suggests they shouldn't be a team still anchored to the bottom of the Premier League, a team that has only scored thrice this season.
They should be fighting and competing for the ball as if their lives depended on it. They aren't.
They should be playing with urgency and a determined resolve. They aren't.
They should be motivated, charged-up and have a fiery desire to win at all costs. They don't.
Instead there is a cautious nature about their game. They are afraid to play, afraid to risk, and afraid to make mistakes. Because, often when a team finds itself in such a precarious position, they are too scared to lose and that is why they can't win.
In contrast there's a self-belief about Pirates that is refreshing. Their confidence on the ball, composure and individual skills are breathtaking.
It was especially out wide, down both flanks, where Pirates caused Hellenic problems. The two youngsters, Gift Leremi and Joseph Makhanya, bristled with skill and control.
They took defenders on, ran with enthusiasm, and created havoc every time they touched the ball.
And when the ball did go through the middle, Pirates had Benedict Vilakazi and Sailor Tshabalala to add to Hellenic's woes. The audacious trickery of the duo set the platform for many of the Buccaneers' daring offensive raids - and Hellenic struggled to contain them.
Pirates got the game off to a sensational start. As early as the fourth minute Jimmy Kauleza broke free of a rather static Hellenic defence, drew goalkeeper Garath Ormshaw before crossing for Leremi to tap into an empty net.
The goal provided Pirates with the impetus and confidence to run at Hellenic at every opportunity. And the chances came.
Leremi had another chance, but fired wide, Tshabalala did likewise and Makhanya forced a crucial save out of Ormshaw.
Vilakazi fluffed an easy opportunity inside the five-yard area and Hleza Mofedi drilled the ball wide a minute before full-time.
Hellenic's only scoring opportunity in the first half came in the 28th minute when Ncaca's flashing shot was saved by goalkeeper Thabang Radebe.
The Cape side nearly equalised early in the second half, but Vilakazi cleared the ball off the goal-line.
During the goalmouth scramble, Radebe was injured after a clashing with tall Hellenic striker Musa Mnguni, and was replaced in goal by Nigerian keeper Williams Okpara.
The setback didn't deter Pirates in any way as Kauleza lobbed over Ormshaw moments later, but the ball trickled anxiously wide.
Then another error from Hellenic, this time striker Koena Mathopa giving the ball away, and Pirates countered with a sweeping move that resulted in a sensational goal from Mofedi.
Mofedi started the move in his own half and, after a few slick and quick passes, the ball was back with him just outside the Hellenic penalty area.
And Mofedi drilled the ball, from an awkward angle, into the far corner. A real stunner.
Pirates caretaker-coach Augusto Palacios then brought on Steve Lekolea in place of Kauleza and the substitution paid immediate dividends. With his first touch Lekoelea scorched infield from the right flank and threaded a lovely through-ball for Vilakazi.
And Vilakazi steered the ball into the net with ease.
It was the cue for Pirates to turn on the charm - and the showboating. This type of situation is tailor-made for the Buccaneers' skilled tricksters and they took full advantage.
But Pirates took their foot off the pedal a bit towards the end of the game and it allowed Hellenic to claw a goal back through Mnguni.
So another home defeat for Hellenic. Even though they have only played 10 games, relegation is increasingly becoming a reality.
The situation is desperate. They just don't know where their next point is coming from.
Sad, but true.
Hellenic: Garath Ormshaw, Joas Magolego, Alan Johnson, Andile Sixaba, Zain Brown, Ernest Mtawali (Thabiso Hlalele 70th), Gareth Ncaca, Vuyo Mere, Russel Khuzwayo (Joel Masilela 70th), Koena Mathopa, Musa Mnguni
Pirates: Thabang Radebe (Williams Okpara 49th), Edward Malinga, Papi Khomane, Jimmy Tau, Abednigo Netshodwe, Sailor Tshabalala (Thapelo Liau 79th), Hleza Mofedi, Gift Leremi, Joseph Makhanya, Benedict Vilakazi, Jimmy Kauleza (Steve Lekoela 63rd)