Cup

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro led a Bucs-laden Carling All Stars team to cup glory when they beat Carling Knockout champions Magesi 3-0 on Saturday.

The Spaniard was again entrusted with taking charge of the special pick selected for the exhibition game that took place at Orlando Stadium.

The youthful team, chosen by the fans in the second annual Carling Black Label Cup, was captained by Bucs goalkeeper Sipho Chaine who was joined by teammate Relebohile Mofokeng in the starting lineup.

The Pirates complement in the eleven also consisted of current Academy players in Mbekezile Mbokazi and Jabulani Mokone, who shored up the defence.

Ex-teammates in the Bucs Reserves setup, Mofokeng and Mokone were both prominent in the opening exchanges. Both had a go at Elvia Chipezeze’s goal inside the first five minutes of the contest, with the later drawing a save from the Zimbabwean shot-stopper.

Having punched cracks into the defence, the floodgates soon opened as the All Stars raced to a three-goal lead in the first half. This was courtesy of a brace from Naledi Hlongwane, who netted a goal on either side of a strike from Samkelo Zwane.

Mofokeng had a chance to join in the party late in the first half when he darted across field from the edge of the box, but wasn’t able to direct his effort goalward.

Maswanganyi was one of the new faces brought in at the start of the first half, while Tshegofatso Mabasa and Bucs Reserves star Seth Green made their way onto the field midway through the second half.

Both players had their bright moments towards the latter stages of the contest, but there were no goals forthcoming.

The game continued to open up as the final whistle approach, with Chaine’s goal proving impenetrable for the opposition.

The match eventually finished with the All Stars three goals to the good, as they maintained a winning run in the fixture.