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Bucs on the rise

STOP! Kaizer Chiefs' Siphiwe Tshabalala is fouled by Orlando Pirates' Michael Morton during the final of the Telkom Charity Cup at Mmabatho Stadium in Mafikeng on Saturday. Pirates won 1-0. Pic. Antonio Muchave. 02/08/08. © Sowetan.
STOP! Kaizer Chiefs' Siphiwe Tshabalala is fouled by Orlando Pirates' Michael Morton during the final of the Telkom Charity Cup at Mmabatho Stadium in Mafikeng on Saturday. Pirates won 1-0. Pic. Antonio Muchave. 02/08/08. © Sowetan.

Meshack Motloung

Meshack Motloung

Orlando Pirates coach Ruud Krol believes his charges are gradually coming together.

He said this after the Bucs beat Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 to win the 23rd edition of the Telkom Charity Cup at Mmabatho Stadium in Mafikeng on Saturday.

Bucs, who avenged their 2-0 defeat at the hands of Chiefs two weeks ago in the Vodacom Challenge, scored through new find Thembile Kanono in the 17th minute.

A few minutes before the final whistle sounded there were already celebrations in the stands with the fans singing and dancing in jubilation.

Even outside the stadium there was a cacophony of car hooters and the blowing of the vuvuzelas as well as a symphony of whistles and ululations from the fans.

Sowetan believes Soweto and Ekurhuleni greeted the result with fireworks in some areas.

The derby between the two Soweto giants was one of the best and most entertaining games of the day.

Said Krol: "I've been working with this team to find the winning combination, now I am optimistic that things are starting to fall into place. We used to lose concentration and now I think we'll be alright for the new season."

Goal scorer Kanono was also delighted with the win. He believes it is a sign of good things to come for Pirates.

"I was playing for the first time in a derby and I'm over the moon because we won it and it gives me much joy," said the former Santos star.

Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral said they were working hard behind the scenes but they were looking at the bigger picture.

"Basically we're looking at results and we hope to compete this time," he said.

He also pointed out that he had fielded Arthur Zwane at the right-back position because Jimmy Tau was a bit tired.

Ertugral seems to be justified in complaining that they were denied a penalty in the 39th minute when Mandla Masango was fouled.

The game was very fast and both goalkeepers, Moeneeb Josephs of Pirates and Ithumeleng Khune of Chiefs, were called on to make dramatic saves.

Michael Morton, 19, at right-back for Bucs had Siphiwe Tshabalala at his mercy. Also for a change Mlungisi Gumbi and Landukuhle Mkhwanazi justified their presence as they denied Chiefs free reign in the midfield.

The crowd was also generally well behaved.

Said Mickey Modisane, Bucs' spokesman: "We thank our supporters for responding positively to our calls to vote for Orlando Pirates to be in this competition.

"Management, the technical staff and the players dedicate this win to to them because we are bent on making them happy."

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