Pirates, Royal and Chippa advance in Nedbank Cup

Saturday’s Nedbank Cup round of 16 action saw Orlando Pirates, Royal AM and Chippa United all advance into the final eight of the competition, joining Mamelodi Sundowns, Sekhukhune United and Dondol Stars in the draw.

The headline match came from Orlando Stadium in the evening, as Pirates were made to work incredibly hard for a 2-1 triumph over Motsepe Foundation Championship side Venda Football Academy.

Locked at 1-1 after the regulation 90 minutes – thanks to goals from Kermit Erasmus and Edmore Chirambadare – the Buccaneers ultimately triumphed on the back of a strike from Thembinkosi Lorch seven minutes before the end of extra time to progress into the quarterfinals.

The afternoon matches featured a Durban derby between Golden Arrows and Royal AM at the Princess Magogo Stadium. Thwihli Thwahla secured a 3-1 triumph after extra time thanks to a brace of goals from substitute Levy Mashiane, who struck in the 110th and 119th minutes.

Earlier, Royal appeared to be on course for a victory inside regulation time thanks to a Ricardo Nascimento penalty just after the half-hour mark, but Abafana Bes’thende sent the game to extra time with a last-gasp equaliser from Knox Mutizwa.

At the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, Chippa United avoided an upset against lower-league opposition with a 2-0 triumph over Mpheni Home Defenders. Ronald Pfumbidzai broke the deadlock in the first half and Diego Appollis stepped off the bench to seal victory for the Chilli Boys.

The last 16 round of the Nedbank Cup will wrap up on Sunday 12 March with matches pitting TS Galaxy against Stellenbosch FC and Kaizer Chiefs against Casric Stars.

Nedbank Cup, last 16 results

Thursday 2 March

Marumo Gallants 1-3 Mamelodi Sundowns

Wednesday 8 March

Dondol Stars 1-1 AmaZulu – After extra time, Stars won 5-4 on penalties

Friday 10 March

Sekhukhune United 2-0 Cape Town Spurs

Saturday 11 March

Chippa United 2-0 Mpheni Home Defenders

Golden Arrows 1-3 Royal AM – After extra time

Orlando Pirates 2-1 Venda Football Academy – After extra time