from SASoccer365
pirates finish third in challenge
Buccaneers Beat DRC Side
Sunday July 06 2003
The win earns the Buccaneers R300,000 in prize-money, while their opponents walk away with R200,000.
The South African side were without their best players, who were either on national duty with Bafana Bafana in Burundi, or were being rested after a long season for the Premier Soccer League champions.
The first half was a quiet affair with not much goal action on either side. Thapelo Liau thought he had given the Buccaneers the lead on 12 minutes, but the assistant referee flagged for off-side.
Thabang Radebe in the Pirates goal was not tested until the 40th minute when he was called on to make a save from a free-kick. He fumbled badly, before his defence managed to clear the loose ball.
But it was the introduction of Phumudzo Manendzhe for Jimmy Kauleza on the hour-mark which proved the catalyst as he turned in a John Avery cross for the all-important goal.
The game was a curtain-raiser for the final between Kaizer Chiefs and TP Mazembe, the club who beat Pirates on penalties in the semifinal last weekend.
Bookmarks