Carling Black Label

Pirates lift Carling Black Label Cup

1 August 2011

The fans selected the players and made the substitutions, but that wasn't enough to produce goals as Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs went to a penalty shootout after the Carling Black Label Cup finished in a goalless draw at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Ultimately, Pirates triumphed four-three from the penalty spot in a game which revealed why coaches select teams and not fans; what was missing from the line-ups was balance and it showed in the side's performances. Not that passion and industry was missing from a clash between the Soweto rivals, it wasn't.

It was clear, however, that this was a pre-season clash and with some players in unfamiliar positions the sharpness needed to finish off moves was absent.

Kick off was delayed by half-an-hour because of the late arrival of many fans, but it didn't seem to have affected the players as the game got off to a fast and controversial start.

In the fourth minute, striker Lucky Khune found the back of the Buccanneers' net, but his effort was disallowed because of a blatant hand ball which knocked the ball past goalkeeper Moneeb Josephs. Instead of getting on the scoresheet, Khune went into referee Victor Hlungwani's book after being shown a yellow card.

Shortly after that Mark Mayembela created a fine chance for Pirates when he rounded the Chiefs' defence down the right flank, but his cross to Chiukep Msowoya was at a difficult height and the striker could only knock the ball over the crossbar with a shot off his thigh.

Early in the second half Josephs denied Abia Nale a goal by leaving his line and closing down the space after Nale had been sent clear by Tinashe Nengomasha.

The fans then made the substitutions they wanted by voting by SMS. Msowoya was replaced by Sameehg Doutie, while Chiefs' striker Sthembiso Ngcobo made way for Bafana Bafana forward Bernard Parker, who made his debut for the Amakhosi to the loud blaring of vuvuzelas.

Chiefs created a couple of half-chances, but Keegan Ritchie fired wildly over the top after a goalmouth scramble and Nengomasha came close with a snap shot that passed just wide of the goalkeeper's left hand post.

And so it came down to a penalty shootout. Bafana Bafana netminder Itumeleng Khune came close to saving Pirates' first penalty kick, but Oupa Manyisa's effort had just enough height to beat the diving goalie.

“Carling Black Label Cup” - Bra P's opinion ~ DISKIOFF

Those factors are very important to the cause that makes this game the best viewed in the world.  It seems that we as South African fans we are that arrogant that we feel we need a place in the many structures of the game.  As a fan, your role is simple, be a supporter of the game… in anyway, form, shape or size… also respect the other factors of the game, you are not a player… you are not a coach, damn… you are not even an assistant coach. If fans are so desperate to coach… let them take up coaching lessons with SAFA or take good care of your local U12 team… this is a professional outfit, people’s lives and careers depend on this.  This is their livelihoods and this is what they have worked hard for… and a fan, who by the way, has his own job elsewhere decides not to do what they did but take a SHORT CUT via an sms competition??? I think that's fairly spot on. It is a money making exercise, which does very little for the coach and players. We are all armchair critics without really appreciating what is required to coach and run a professional team. Most of us aren't probably qualified to manage a friendly 5-a-side team. That's why they make various football management games - so we can fufil our desires of football management while being kept out of harm's way. Just because I've taken Tiverton Town (who?) to Champions League glory and FCAK to the top of the PSL does not make me a footballing genius. I do have one issue though. Fans are not at the bottom of the food chain, even if sometimes it feels like it. Fans need the clubs and clubs need the fans. It's a mutual relationship. The Carling Black Label Cup can be seen as an attempt (although a misguided one) to involve the fans in something more than just buying replica shirts and cheap, pointless, tacky merchandise and generally being passive fans. Bra P makes good points that the money put by SAB could be used at developing coaching skills in South Africa. we know that we dont produce enough good coaches here in South Africa. i laso understand that this is a pre season tournament but what do the coach get out of this? how will the players get a understanding what the coach wants them ahead of the season.

what n hell do you want. when its hot you want cold, when it rains you want dry. out of ten million fans only three who did not have air time to vote are now speaking crab. It is what it is deal with it or go overseas nd join them lets see they will pay you any attention. Life is about inovation you and your wife must be creative under the sheets or else she will go where creativity is. The people have spoken and so be it. Do not watch TV, DO NOT LOG ON INTERNET GO VISIT THE GRAVEYARD AND CLEAN UP. lEAVE THIS TO REAL GUYS, NOT YOU DAMN FREAKEN madams.

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