Crusaders humble Pirates despite rough play claims
Crusaders Football Club defeated an Orlando Pirates junior side 5-2 in a dominant RCLFA performance that head coach Lefa Makunyane described as a near-perfect execution of his game plan.
Crusaders Football Club produced a commanding five-goal performance to defeat an Orlando Pirates junior side in a Rand Central Local Football Association (RCLFA) fixture, with Crusaders head coach Lefa Makunyane full of praise for his players after the final whistle.
Makunyane, who also serves as director of the club, said he had set his side a clear target before kick-off and watched them deliver almost to the letter.
“I said to them, first half I need two goals within 10 minutes, and I got that,” he said.
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The early double gave the Crusaders a comfortable platform, but the match did not remain straightforward. Pirates pulled one back before half-time, and after the break, they levelled the scores when Crusaders failed to deal with second-ball situations in midfield. For a moment, momentum appeared to shift.
“They thought they were on top of us,” Makunyane said. “They forgot that we were waiting to pounce on them when they came at us.”
That composure proved decisive. Crusaders struck three more times in quick succession to seal a 5-2 victory and leave their opponents chasing shadows. Makunyane said the Pirates players grew increasingly desperate as the goals went in, resorting to long-range efforts from the centre circle in the closing stages.
The coach did, however, raise concerns about the conduct he witnessed from the Pirates camp. He alleged that parents on the sidelines used foul and abusive language directed at his players, and accused the opposing side of rough play throughout the match.
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“When they lose the game, they become physically violent towards other players,” he claimed. “That is not good for this sport.”
Despite those frustrations, Makunyane was in buoyant spirits at the final whistle and reserved special pride for the way his squad executed his game plan from start to finish.
“I’m proud of my boys,” he said. “They took the instructions exactly how I told them.”
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