July 2001 Sport News Headlines

JOHANNESBURG - Orlando Pirates started the new season on a good note by winning the Telkom Charity Cup after beating Moroka Swallows 1-0 at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Pirates under-23 midfielder Benedict Vilakazi scored the winning goal in the 33rd minute when he took a shot from the edge of the box which was first blocked by Peter Matsitse before landing back onto Vilakazi's foot who chipped in beating Rowan Fernandez.

Pirates have now won the cup on five occasions.

The last time they won it was in 1999 under the guidance of Victor Bondareko.

Bondareko looked like he would win the charity cup with Swallows in the beginning of the game when his charges frequented the Pirates box and in the 12th minute Ernest Marumo almost put his side to a lead when he took a shot from outside the 18-area but his shot went over the bar.

In the 16th minute Sibusiso Mazibuko was selfish after making a solo run from the centre line but instead of passing the ball to Sisa Nombe who was well-positioned inside the box, he attempted the goal himself and the ball went wide.

In the 23rd minute Swallows replaced Nombe with Jockonia Cibi.

Cibi almost levelled matters in the 37th minute when he took a shot with Pirates keeper William Okpara out of his post but defender Gerald Raphahlele came to the rescue.

In the second half Swallows substituted Marumo with Dingaan Masanabo.

Vilakazi was unlucky not to score in the 57th minute when he fell inside the box after a cross from Innocent Chikoya Pirates showed fighting spirit in the final when compared to the semi-final which they won by the same margin against Kaizer Chiefs earlier.

The Buccaneers introduced Rodney Petlele and Joseph Makhanya for Andile Cele and Joseph Ngake respectively.

For Swallows it was Cibi again who almost netted but his shot went wide.

Godfrey Sapula, Thomas Inguana, Jerry Sikhosana, Ngake were cautioned from the Pirates side while for Swallows it was Molefi Ntsolengoe and Samuel Ngobeni were the ones who were booked.

Pirates took home R150 000 while Swallows pocketed R110 000 and the two losing semi-finalists, Kaizer Chiefs and Ria Stars earned themselves R60 000 each.

- Nampa-Sapa

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