Staff Reporter.
Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Peterson was the hero as Amakhosi won the Carling Black Label Cup with a penalty shoot-out victory over Orlando Pirates.
The game ended goalless after 90 minutes, even though Daniel Cardoso had a second-half penalty saved by Pirates keeper Richard Ofori.
It had been two years since the last edition of the ‘Beer Cup’, after last year’s match was cancelled amid the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Black Label Cup in front of no fans — just the shouts of the coaches and players drifting across the ground reminding that this was a game between giants in a ghostly, chilly Orlando — became even more of a made-for-TV event.
This match is meant to be a gauge of the readiness of the two teams and if their new signings would make a seamless transition into the sides ahead of the new season.
All the attention were always going to be on Chiefs, though, after they signed no less than eight payers since their transfer ban came to an end.
But for trophy-starved Chiefs, even within the gimmicky format, there were at least promising early signs of a rejuvenation, especially in the second half once they could get some signings on. Youngster Sabelo Radebe, Kgaogelo Sekgota and Phathutshedzo Nange looked bright additions, and Keagan Dolly was not even a part of this shindig.
The impact of Chiefs’ newbies should have paid off after Radebe forced Ntsikelelo Nyauza to concede a handball inside his own penalty area. But Cardoso was casual in his spot-kick, with Ofori guessing right to parry the kick away from his goal.
Pirates, a team that has kept the bulk of its playing personnel after making only three signings for next season – Bandile Shandu, Kwanda Mngonyama and Goodman Mosele – were on defensive mode for the best part of the game despite having a largely balanced starting line-up.
The two teams did their best to produce high energy levels, hoping to shake the off-season rust by heavily vibrating their engines. They understandably battled for cohesion, though predictably improved through the 90 minutes.
The sides could not be separated as the match went to penalties. Peterson saved Pirates’ third and fourth penalties from Nyauza and Jooste respectively as Sekgota put away the decisive penalty to claim the bragging rights.