Ndumiso Mabena of Orlando Pirates in support of injured teammate Happy Jele
Orlando Pirates players and coach Julio Leal have dedicated the club’s Telkom Knockout victory to injured defender Happy Jele.
Jele, a stalwart of the Bucs side over the past few seasons, suffered a horrific knee injury in a League clash against BidVest Wits last month.
Bucs met the same opposition in the Telkom Knockout final on Saturday night and triumphed 2-1 in a game that had plenty of needle, not least because of the injury suffered by Jele.
“I would like to dedicate this win to our injured player Happy Jele,” Leal said after the game, while players held up placards in support of their teammate.
Leal was also satisfied with the performance of his side in the wet in Durban and celebrates his second trophy in a row since taking over at the start of the season after the club also won the MTN8. It was also the first time in the 29-year history of the competition that Bucs had won, after losing in six previous finals.
“We used our opportunities well, we controlled the game well and this is a very important trophy for this club because we have made history tonight by winning it for the first time,” Leal said.
Central to the win was veteran striker Benni McCarthy, who might not have got on the scoresheet, but set up two of the goals and was excellent throughout, though he did lose his temper with the harsh treatment meted out on him by the Wits players.
“Benni McCarthy is a special player, he has a great feeling for moments in the game and when to do certain things. But we need to help him control his temper, we hope that in time as he gets fitter and starts finishing games, he will be more quiet,” Leal said.
Wits coach Roger de Sa bemoaned the Moses Mabhida Stadium pitch which, he says, is the worst of all the 2010 FIFA World Cup venues.
“Congratulations to them, they came out with a lot more intensity after losing the League game [3-1 to Wits in November],” De Sa said. “I don’t think it was the best pitch and as the rain came down it got more difficult for us because we want to play football.
“We conceded early which was disappointing, but the nerves settled after that. I was happy with that side of the game, we got back in the game with a goal. When they scored the second I thought we were in control. But they missed lots of chances, we could have been embarrassed by losing five or six-nil.”
Man of the Match Daine Klate says his side will now focus on retaining their League title, as well as winning the CAF Champions League which starts in February.
“It is another special day for us and the fifth trophy in two seasons,” Klate says. “The supporters in Durban are better than in Jo’burg for us, the turnout is always fantastic here. After winning this cup, our League form will pick up as well. The Champions League will take a lot out of our squad, we have an Angolan team first up, then a team from Nigeria. So it will be difficult in the second half of season, but we will give it our all.”