Banda burgles Buccaneers
TANZANIA international Abdi Banda pulled off a smash- and- grab win for Chippa over a dominant Pirates with a late match- winning header in their Premiership clash at Orlando Stadium yesterday.
The outcome marked a first league win for Chippa this season and a first career win for new coach Daine Klate, a former Pirates player.
In the dying minutes, there was high drama as Pirates fought valiantly for the equaliser after Chippa battled to clear a threatening corner after the ball bounced a few times in a goalmouth melee.
The teams were running out for their third matches in eight days in a chilly Soweto, and visiting Chippa were looking for their first victory of the season.
The Buccaneers brought back Deon Hotto, who was surprisingly dropped in the midweek clash against Stellenbosch FC.
Namibia international Hotto was effective as a wing- back in early play after enjoying some penetrative runs down the left flank.
He was joined by Thabiso Monyane, Thabang Monare and Vincent Pule in the starting team.
Straight from kick- off, Pirates were looking to instil a high press and tempo, and Chippa spent most of the first half keeping their lines intact.
Often they looked vulnerable, but averted danger by the time referee Philangenkosi Khumalo sounded the whistle for the half- time break.
With Pirates enjoying the lion’s share of possession, their pressure earned them five corners in the opening 30 minutes, but they were unable to use the dead- ball situations to their advantage.
Often, Pirates chose Ghanaian striker Kwame Peprah as the target but Chippa’s defence gave him little chance to manoeuvre. It was Peprah’s first start of the season.
After play wound towards the end of the first half, Pirates managed several threatening runs deep into Chippa’s half and this was the cue for the home team’s supporters to burst into song louder than ever.
The Chippa defence managed to hold out as they covered spaces well in the striking zone and Pirates were left trying to hit the target from range, often from acutely angled positions.
At times, the ball flew across the Chippa goalmouth, but Pirates’ attackers were well out of position.
Close to half- time, the Chilli Boys had a gilt- edged scoring chance, but Pirates’ Ghanaian goalkeeper Richard Ofori parried a shot on goal by Chippa striker Diego Appollis after excellent build- up work by midfielder Siphelele Luthuli.
When second- half play started Pirates imposed themselves on the match and by the hour mark enjoyed a whopping 67% advantage.
It was turning out to be an afternoon of unrewarding toil as the Pirates attackers garnered a sustained chorus of the oohs and aahs from ‘ The Ghost’, as one scoring chance after the other went awry.
Next up for Pirates will be Royal AM on Wednesday at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, while Chippa next face Maritzburg United at Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday.