Pirates favourites for Telkom Knockout

Orlando Pirates have been a study in inconsistency this season. The Buccaneers have blown hot and cold in the Absa Premier Soccer League. Yet they are back in the hunt for league honours after comprehensively beating the log leaders, SuperSport United, 3-0 this past Saturday. They will be the hot favourites to win the Telkom Knockout final against Bidvest Wits on Saturday after the students played with a lack of intensity and won’t draw much confidence from their 2-2 result against Golden Arrows.

Last season, Pirates won the treble and Julio Leal, their new coach, is at pains to explain that it is too early to dismiss their title aspirations. Yet, to win titles, you have to possess superb marksmen who receive quality possession from the midfield and the wings, and you have to be consistent away from fortress home.

Benni McCarthy provides the quality in front of the goal, but he cannot perform miracles with crumbs of possession. And Pirates are flattering to deceive away from home.

United won the league in 2007-8, 2008-9 and 2009-10 thanks to their magnificent record away from home.

The philosophy underpinning their success has been to retain their intensity, self-belief and positive frame of mind in those away fixtures, according to Gavin Hunt, their coach.

They might have been able to sustain that record, but against  motivated champions like Pirates, you need to take charge early, and use your opportunities.

An unmarked Ashley Hartog missed a free header in the second minute, which might have unsettled Pirates. Offered another opportunity in the 14^th minute, he over-elaborated with the goalmouth at his mercy and with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Pirates gleefully accepted the escapes offered by the league front-runners, and they controlled the midfield. Their intensity and their interplay unsettled United, who could do little to stem the tide.

McCarthy scored his third league goal this season from the penalty spot, and beautiful interplay set up Isaac Chansa’s goal.

Ndumiso Mabena benefited from the cross by Daine Klate to make it 3-0.

Before the emphatic victory by Pirates, United looked like Fort Knox at the back, having gone five matches without a goal conceded, but they were stunned by the ferocity of Pirates on attack.

United retain their position at the summit of the log with 28 points after 13 matches, while Pirates have improved to sixth on the log with 21 points.

But it is not entirely about the numbers game. With their win against United, they have endorsed their credentials as serious title-contenders again.

The interplay between the wings and the strikers was the most-improved facet of their game against United.

Hunt admitted afterwards that United were outplayed, but he encouraged his players not to read too much into that defeat.

The Buccaneers will have to create greater continuity in their title-hunt and show they have the consistency to win at least one title this season.

Maarten Stekelenburg, Ajax Cape Town coach, will be grateful for the 2-0 win against Bloemfontein Celtic, as his team were winless for five straight matches before the turn-around against Celtic.

Ajax have not played with the fluidity and rhythm that has characterised their performances under Stekelenburg’s predecessor, Foppe de Haan.

Under Stekelenburg, the beautiful game has unravelled and the Warriors are looking disjointed and ragged at times.

There were some promising signs at the Cape Town Stadium for Ajax against Celtic.

Ajax could have been more emphatic in the result column if they were more ruthless in front of the goalmouth, but they could not convert several half-chances, especially in the first half.

Khama Billiat and Nhlanhla Vilakazi showed encouraging form for the Warriors, while Matthew Booth, who scored with a powerful header on the hour-mark, also proved to be a reasonable acquisition for Ajax.

Perhaps it will ease the pressure on Stekelenburg, but what will happen to Santos, as the Peoples’ Team is languishing just outside the relegation zone.

A lack of consistency and topsy-turvy performances have contributed to their woeful form.

Last week, they recovered from a very listless performance against Sundowns in the first half, and drew level in the 65^th minute, but then Sundowns put three goals past them in the final 25 minutes.

Sundowns did most of the running throughout the first half, which dominated in possession.

Vuyisile Wana resurrected the Peoples’ Team, but what happened in the final quarter?

Coach Boebie Solomons will be under increasing pressure as Santos’ lacklustre performances point to a lack of inspiration.