By Michael Madyira
Frustration continues to mount at Orlando Pirates after they were dumped out of the Carling Knockout by Richards Bay on Saturday.
Following a goalless contest after extra time, Pirates faltered 5-4 during the lottery of the penalty kicks to worsen their already dire situation.
It was the first time Pirates had lost a Cup game under coach Jose Riveiro who had guided them to 14 unbeaten games in knockout competitions.
Riveiro could be a dead man walking. The team arrived in Durban already under pressure because of a poor run of form that included Wednesday’s loss to Premier Soccer League basement side Cape Town Spurs.
Now, it was second-from-bottom Richards Bay who claimed their scalp.
Riveiro made a few changes to his squad trying to find solutions with Monnapule Saleng back in the starting lineup.
Nkosinathi Sibisi returned to take up the central defence role from Olisa Ndah while right-back Bandile Shandu stepped in for Thabiso Monyane.
The Spaniard unusually opted for a system with one holding midfielder Miguel Timm as Thabang Monare was dropped to the bench.
His Richards Bay opposite number Tembo welcomed back Sinethemba Mngomezulu from suspension but the forward, however, started from the bench.
Both teams were struggling to penetrate each other from the early stages of the contest.
The Buccaneers’ first promising attack came four minutes before halftime Saleng was denied from squeezing the ball past Richards Bay goalkeeper Philasande Manqele.
That sparked another Pirates attack immediately with Deon Hotto agonisingly watching his shot crash against the upright.
The hosts rarely caused problems for Pirates and it took just over an hour for the Buccaneers goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi to spring into a save when he collected a Yanela Mbuthuma header.
The hosts started making final-third entries into the goal area but the Soweto giants were spot-on, not allowing them an attempt at goal.
An uninspiring showing by Pirates underlined their difficulties in plotting the route to the semi-final as they were stretched into a drab extra time.
Deon Hotto missed the Buccaneers’ kick while Richards Bay, to the relief of their under-fire coach Kaitano Temboof, converted all of theirs.
Pictured above: Orlando Pirates winger Patrick Maswanganyi being challenged by Somila Ntsundwana.
Image source: Orlando Pirates
