By Michael Madyira
Orlando Pirates stayed on course in their Nedbank Cup defence bid with a 4-0 round of 16 victory over 10-man Hungry Lions at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Tshegofatso Mabasa’s second-half brace inspired the Buccaneers to victory, sending his side to the quarter-finals of South Africa’s most prestigious knockout competition.
The visitors’ defender Morena Monaheng opened the floodgates for the Buccaneers with a 21st minute own goal before Mabasa struck on 66 minutes.
Monnapule Saleng then cemented victory for Pirates with 18 minutes remaining and then Mabasa completed his brace in stoppage time.
It was the end of the Nedbank Cup road for National First Division side Hungry Lions who finished the match a man down following a red card to midfielder S’Bongakonke Gamede.
Following a drab start to the contest, Pirates were lucky to witness Monaheng beat his own goalkeeper Glen Baadjies while attempting to block a lurking Relebohile Mofokeng from pouncing on a through ball.
Just before the half time break, there was a scare for the Buccaneers, whose midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula was stretchered off the pitch while on oxygen.
Hungry Lions were then reduced to 10 men in the 59th minute when Gamede tripped a charging Patrick Maswanganyi
Mabasa then almost doubled Pirates’ lead but his free-kick hit the upright on the hour mark.
It finally paid off for Mabasa who cooly finished a Mbatha feed to hand the Buccaneers further advantage.
It appeared Gamede’s red card dismantled Hungry Lions from midfield to defence as Saleng turned his marker and shot with his weaker right foot for Pirates’ third goal.
Mabasa then put the final nail in Hungry Lions’ coffin right at the death, shooting from outside the box for the Buccaneers’ 10th goal in two straight Nedbank Cup games.
Elsewhere on Saturday, SuperSport United also reached the quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over Richards Bay at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium.
Shandre Campbell’s first-half brace and Gamphani Lungu’s stoppage-time strike inspired Matsatsantsa to victory over the Natal Rich Boyz who got their consolation from Sibusiso Mthethwa.
Chippa United also advanced to the Last-eight by edging Ravens 2-1 at Buffalo City Stadium.
Thabo Makhele and Andile Mbenyane were on target for the Chilli Boys and Samkelo Ngcungama’s goal was not enough for Ravens.
Pictured above: Relebohile Mofokeng gets past a Hungry Lions defender
Image source: Orlando Pirates
