Orlando Pirates take Knockout cup

Orlando Pirates are the Telkom Knockout cup champions after they defeated Bidvest Wits 3-1 in Durban in Saturday’s final.

In an entertaining match played in rainy conditions at Moses Mabhida Stadium, the Pirates secured the trophy for the first time thanks to goals from Thulasizwe Mbuyane, Daine Klate and Isaac Chansa, while Sifiso Myeni scored for the Wits.

The Pirates are now the first team in Premier Soccer League history to hold every PSL-sanctioned trophy at the same time.

Orlando got off to the perfect start, opening the scoring in just the third minute.

Klate was the architect of the goal, turning inside Lehlohonolo Maselelsa before unselfishly squaring for Mbuyane to score an easy goal.

After taking the lead, the Pirates were prepared to sit back and try to catch their opponents on the counter attack.

They should have gone 2-0 ahead in the 11th minute, when Ndumiso Mabena latched on to a great pass from Benni McCarthy and rounded the goalkeeper, but somehow he shot wide of goal.

McCarthy was a troubling figure for the Wits defence, and just over 10 minutes before the break he stole the ball off Sboniso Gumede, but with only Bidvest goalkeeper Energy Murambadoro to beat, he skewed his shot wide of the far post.

Klate also had a good effort as the half wound down, cracking shot that forced Murambadoro into a sharp save.

Wits, despite shading possession, were not able to create many chances. Their best effort came in the 43rd minute with Sifiso Vilakazi’s glancing a header narrowly wide of the far post from Patrick Phungwayo’s cross.

The second half followed a similar pattern until 65 minutes in, when Wits captain Myeni brought his side level at 1-1, firing a low shot home.

But just seven minutes later Klate put Pirates back on the path to victory, cutting inside from the right before crashing home a low left-footed shot that beat Murambadoro at his near post.

Orlando wrapped up the win seven minutes from the end when substitute Tlou Segolela set up Chansa to make it 3-1 win a sweet finish from close range.