Est. 2008

New signing Gert Schalkwyk was the hero for the Pirates, scoring the winning penalty after the game finished 1-1 in regulation time.

Trialist Japanese striker Norizaku Murakami drew first blood in the 12th minute when he finished off a pinpoint Dillon Sheppardlow cross to beat Senzo Meyiwa.

Seven minutes later, it could have been 2-0, as Meyiwa slipped, but Alton Meiring couldn’t take advantage. In the 25th minute, Meyiwa redeemed himself by stopping a powerful shot from Jabu Mahlangu, which resulted in a corner.

With about 10 minutes to the interval, Rooi Mahamutsa was adjudged to have fouled Murakami when the two went for a high ball, resulting in a clash of heads. From the resultant free kick, Alton Meiring’s effort was not far off as the ball sailed just over the bar.

For the better part of the first half, Stars looked the more composed of the two sides and deservedly went into the interval still in the lead.

However, the second half was not as eventful as the first.

Bucs coach Ruud Krol had made three substitutions at half time, but Stars got the first real chance of the second half when Henrico Botes, who had come on as a substitute for Meiring, shot powerfully at goal but Meyiwa went down to save easily.

Pirates won a controversial penalty in the 69th minute when Bennett Chenene ran into George Mofokeng. Mahamutsa sent Kapini the wrong way and it was game on.

A minute later, a scuffle broke out when Mahamutsa brought down Sheppard, but it was quickly dealt with and referee Buyile Gqubule booked both players for the incident.

In the 75th minute Lehlohonolo Seema’s header from a corner by Andile Jali hit the upright and in stoppage time, when it seemed easier to miss than to score, Bradley Grobler, who had come on for Murakami, put his header over the bar and the game went to penalties.

Bucs won the shoot-out 4-2 and are the 2009 Telkom Charity Cup Champions.

Goal.com