Kaizer Chiefs beat Orlando Pirates in the Carling Black Label Cup at Orlando Stadium. Herman Gibbs looks at five talking points from the game.
CAPE TOWN – Kaizer Chiefs beat Orlando Pirates in the Carling Black Label Cup at Orlando Stadium. Herman Gibbs looks at five talking points from the game.
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Chiefs didn’t give their strikers enough shooting chances …
Chiefs were mostly in attacking mode in the first half but strangely managed the first shot on target only in the 41st minute. Chiefs failed to bring their striker Samir Nurkovic into the game even though they enjoyed several penetrating runs down either flank. As a result, the Pirates defence lived a charmed life in the first half.
Pirates created pressure throughout the match …
Although first-half possession was evenly shared, Pirates created pressure spells that tested the Chiefs defence. Just ahead of the break, Thembinkosi Lorch switched from the right to left midfield, where he unleashed a scorching drive from the edge of the penalty area. Goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune parried the shot and then saved again after Fortune Makaringe pounced on the rebound.
But Chiefs’ defence wasn’t really tested …
Pirates managed several penetrative sorties down their right flank after the Chiefs defence wore thin in that channel. However, despite making headway deep into Chiefs territory, Pirates’ goalmouth crosses were poor and shallow. Lorch was the guilty party, and as a result, Chiefs were able to keep their lines intact during these pressure spells.
90 + 4' | #KC 0 (4) : 0 (3) #OP
Congratulations to Man of The Match: Njabulo Blom #Amakhosi4Life #CarlingCup pic.twitter.com/ledeCcAG2V
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) August 1, 2021
Kgaogelo Sekgota brought some energy to Chiefs’ attack …
After Chiefs brought on Kgaogelo Sekgota for Lebohang Lesako, there was a new energy in the team’s attacks down the right channels. As a result, Pirates battled to cope, and they were blown up for a handful of infringements in front of goal. Daniel Cardoso stepped up to take the 75th-minute penalty but his powder puff effort was saved by Ghanaian goalkeeper Ofori.
Brandon Peterson saved Chiefs before the shootout …
After goalkeeper Brandon Peterson came on Itumeleng Khune late in the second half, he made a telling save four minutes from the end. He made an instinctive save to block Fortune Makaringe’s shot. It was a great effort by Peterson who was off balance at the time. This save caused the match to advance to the dreaded penalty shoot-out phase.
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