Meyiwa shines in Bucs colours

SENZO Meyiwa's performances as Bafana Bafana captain recently have convinced Orlando Pirates coach Vladimir Vermezovic to hand the goalkeeper the armband at club level.

Just a few days after returning from another successful international week, Meyiwa was awarded the captain's armband ahead of Siyabonga Sangweni as Pirates snatched a 1-0 victory over Free State Stars on Saturday.

Sangweni had been the captain in Lucky Lekgwathi's absence, but Meyiwa will now lead the team whenever the veteran defender is not on the pitch.

"Senzo is captain of Bafana Bafana and he can also be captain of Orlando Pirates," said Vermezovic.

"The decision to make Senzo captain was made by me and Siyabonga Sangweni. Senzo is a serious guy and he is a child of this club because he comes from the development. He completely deserves to be the captain.

"The truth is our real captain is Lucky Lekgwathi, but Senzo is now just behind him."

Meyiwa had little work to do against Ea Lla Koto.

Stars should have been slaughtered, but their Belgian goalkeeper Glenn Verbauwhede saved them from embarrassment as he stretched every part of his body to make a series of good saves.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns keeper could do very little, though, to stop Daine Klate's stunning volley 18 minutes from time, which sealed Bucs' fourth victory of the campaign.

"It was a very important win for us. We have to be satisfied with the three points," Vermezovic said.

The Buccaneers, who are on 14 points after eight matches, visit Mpumalanga Black Aces in Nelspruit tomorrow.