By Michael Madyira
Orlando Pirates sailed into the Nedbank Cup Round of 16 by thumping Crystal Lake 6-0 at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
Tapelo Xoki struck a brace, first in the eighth minute and then 11 minutes into the second half.
The Buccaneers initially went ahead four minutes into the match when Adam Khumalo beat his own goalkeeper,.Excellent Mkhonto, and then Relebohile Mofokeng netted after eight minutes.
Patrick Maswanganyi put the match beyond the hosts’ reach on the 33 minute mark before Tehsgofatso Mabasa marked his return to action with a headed effort 10 minutes before full-time.
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro was not taking chances and was keen to avoid a potential embarrassment, forcing him to field a full-strength starting line-up.
The Spaniard made just three changes from the team that frustrated Mamelodi Sundowns last weekend, bringing in Relebohile Mofokeng, Karim Kimvuidi and Thalente Mbatha who made his Pirates debut.
Khumalo’s own goal opened the floodgates for the Soweto giants as he attempted to clear a corner kick before Xoki converted a penalty after Maxwell Thethe had fouled Evidence Makgopa inside the box.
Pirates further went ahead through Mofokeng’s curler from the edge of the box via a deflection.
An unmarked Makgopa almost wrote his name on the scoresheet but headed just over the bar from close range on 20 minutes before Pirates were denied by the upright as Clife Mhlanga made a goalline clearance.
Patrick Maswanganyi then placed the ball into the bottom corner after connecting, at first touch, a cross from Mofokeng before the home side lost goalkeeper Mkhonto to injury.
The visitors’ dominance continued with Xoki completing his double after heading in a corner kick from Maswanganyi.
Mabasa rose from the bench to head in a corner kick from Lesedi Kapinga to complete the rout.
Pictured above: Orlando Pirates forward Patrick Maswanganyi tries to get past Crystal Palace’s Teboho Mashego
Image source: PSL
