Bacela treble downs Arrows

Not only did the 30-year-old former Santos and Bloemfontein Celtic striker come up with a classy hat-trick, but he also played a prominent role in the fourth goal scored by Kermit Erasmus.

Pirates had stormed into a 3-0 lead by half-time, and the second period was no more than a formality.

Enjoying what has been described as a golden Indian summer to his career, Bacela continued the recent spate of goals that have also helped The Buccaneers reach the final of Africa's prestige Champions League Final.

Bacela was on the scoresheet as early as the 11th minute, while heading Khethokwakhe Masuku's precise 35-metre cross from the right flank into the net with nonchalant professionalism.

The irrepressible Bacela then acrobatically deflected another cross from Masuku in the 33rd minute to an eager Erasmus, whose crunching shot from the edge of the penalty area cannoned into the roof of the net.

It was Oupa Manyisa's chance to provide the pass from which Bacela made the score 3-0 a matter of three minutes before the interval as the one-way traffic continued unabated.

Pirates might easily have added further to their tally before Bacela completed his hat-trick in the 56th minute with Arrows troubled defence in total disarray.

The one disconcerting aspect of the match for Pirates, as they prepare for the high-profiled Premier League derby against Kaizer Chiefs this weekend, was a second-half injury to Daine Klate.

While attempting to add to the scoreline with a spectacular dive, Klate fell heavily in pursuit of the ball and appeared to injure either his hand or wrist.

Arrows might have been over-awed by Pirates' recent African Champions League successes and produced one of their most inept forms for a long time, particularly in defence, where they were guilty of ball-watching and reluctance to tackle.

(File photo:Gallo Images)

- Sapa