Pirates wins Via Lottery of Penalties

Good Sunday to you...

Pirates started on fire as was expected' putting us under pressure. And scoring from a penalty. Not so clear cut but Pirates needed a helping had. Truth be told Mathibe didn't help himself by lifting his leg so high. In any case he did catch Otorungu and the penalty was correctly given having looked at the highlights. We also seemed unsettled and Pirates had all the possession which they really didn't use because our defence stood their ground. When we had the ball, I thought we did have some neat passes but it did not last long enough to get something out of it.

Second half started with swallows fighting back. Mathibe out for Etafia.  Nomvethe being injured rendered him ineffective upfront but had one impossible shot saved well by Moneeb. Sad for Bhele to be injured and not at a 100% for such an important game. And also you could see Pirates players were targeting him. But the fight was back on, Pirates was really on the back foot and only a matter of time before a goal came. Pirates have nothing, if anything, we weren't pushing them hard enough. Their famed super subs of Segolela and Mashego didn't aid their prospects by much.

Haschick came on for Machapa, Nergazhe came off for Mashishi. But I've got a feeling we are short of an ideal link-up man, someone to hold the ball upfront and let the midfield come into play, but that's just me.
A cynical foul by Mahamutsa led to a free kick on the edge of the 18 area.  Sweetly struck by Ngcaca for a nicely flicked goal by Shivambu. This with just five min to go. And at this stage no text messages from my Pirates Mate who had been "texting" me for the better part of the game. GOTCHA!!!

Extra time starts with us giving Pirates some space, worryingly! But as the game went on we got back into it. We had a break with Bhele intercepting play, feeding Haschick who delayed with his final ball and eventually losing it.

Second Half of extra time Pirates had a kick about, nothing that worried us. And of course to the lottery that is Penalties.

At this stage we could not continue to embarrass Pirates. Ten years is way too long a time for any team to wait for a cup. Especially when you regard yourself a big team!

"Congratulations to Pirates....Penalties are part and parcel of the Football game, thus any team that wins via the lottery that is PENALTIES should celebrate, But equally no team that looses via PENALTY shoot-outs should feel any dejection whatsoever!!!"

But more importantly well played to my boys, am not disappointed at all. It was quite a spectacle to watch and you added immensely to that!

Spot on Coach with your tactics...And Nobody in the Swallows camp should feel dejected at all. Collectively you guys had a good game.

We now go for a very long period with-out proper football. Its internationals' week (interweek), so we shift our focus to Bafana Bafana.

Cheers and see you soon