These here
are my opinions and I do not believe it will be the opinion of every one. Feel
free to contribute.
1. Pirates
was a better team in the pitch with a solid match plan and high team work rate.
2. Pirates had the fortune of having all the injury players back in the side; hence competition for places was healthy.
2. Pirates had the fortune of having all the injury players back in the side; hence competition for places was healthy.
3. Pirates
manage to score first and that took a lot from Bidvest Wits to settle down and
to keep their game plan.
4. Daine
Klate and Benni McCarthy “effect” played a huge role in the match.
Tactically
Pirates kept the script well, Benni and Klate realised that Sipho Mngomezulu side
was the weakest and kept in attacking it all the time. In the first 15 minues of
the game, Andile Jali played very deep allowing Wits to play high field, as
soon as the ball broke, Pirates had a huge space behind the defence to explore
and could have been 3-0 in the 20th minutes. Julio Leal started with a very
mobile Ndumiso Mabena in the center while using Isaac Chansa deep close to
Jali.
Pirates’
defence of Siyabonga Sangweni and Rooi Mahamutsa were not trouble since Ruben
Cloete’s job wasn’t of over lapping but needed to look after the attacking
started by the two Sibusiso Vilakazi. Lehlohonolo Masalesa was not given a
chance to find Sifiso Myeni as much as Wits would have want.
The
presence of attacking player like (Thulasizwe) Mbuyane, Mabena, Klate, Chansa
and McCarthy, forced Wits midfielders of Vilakazi and Masalesa to keep in
defending, hence, no supply to Ryan Chapman upfront and no danger to (Moeneeb)
Josephs.
Lead could
have start with Oupa (Manyisa) instead of Mbuyani, but he wanted to keep Wits
thinking. He could have started with Tlou (Segolela) than Klate, but he wanted
intelligent running (no disrespect). By the time Roger de Sa introduced (Bhongolwethu)
Jayiya and (Asive) Langwe, the damage was done and Leal had by then killed the
flow with Oupa, Tlou and (Tokelo) Rantie introduction.
It was a
great final for Pirates, a worthy winner at the end. Well done!!
CORRECTIONS ARE WELCOMED!
By Christopher L Bongo
More pictures (Official Telkom Knockout FB) - http://goo.gl/TASDb
Main picture supplied
by Telkom Knockout FB
