Pirates ease past Lions in Nedbank Cup

Orlando Pirates secured a place in the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup with a 4-0 win over 10-man Hungry Lions at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening.

It was not the most impressive performance from the Buccaneers – despite the one-sided score line – but an own goal and fine second-half strikes from Tshegofatso Mabasa (two) and Monnapule Saleng were more than enough to see off the brave but futile challenge of the second-tier team from Postmasburg in the Northern Cape.

Lions started the match strongly and caused their opponents several problems in the early minutes. However, Pirates gradually asserted more control and claimed the lead just before the midway point of the first half when the recovering Morena Monaheng inadvertently directed a loose ball just inside the penalty area into his own net for an unfortunate own goal.

Lions had a decent chance to bring themselves level on 39 minutes when a poor pass from the hosts allowed the second-tier side to spring away on a counterattack, but the move ended with Raymond Daniels shooting into the arms of Pirates goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi.

The Buccaneers’ Makhehleni Makhaula suffered a serious medical issue late in the first half and was stretchered off before being replaced by Thalente Mbatha.

Early in the second half, the Buccaneers almost added to their advantage when Relebohile Mofokeng was presented with a chance, but he dragged his shot wide under pressure from a recovering defender.

RED CARD FOR GAMEDE

Just before the hour mark Lions were reduced to 10 men when S'Bongakonke Gamede tripped up Patrick Maswanganyi as the last defender and was shown a red card. The resulting free-kick just outside the penalty area saw Tshegofatso Mabasa strike the crossbar with a fine effort.

Yet Mabasa found the back of the net on 66 minutes, running onto a fine through ball from substitute Kabelo Dlamini before a scuffed finish which went in via the inside of the post to make it 2-0 to the Soweto giants.

Bucs added to their advantage in the 72nd minute via a fine goal from Monnapule Saleng, who turned a defender inside out before sweeping home a right-footed finish that effectively ended the game as a contest.

Pirates added a fourth deep in injury time when Mabasa completed his brace, crashing home a superb volley from the edge of the penalty area to complete the scoring.

The teams will return to league action in late March and early April – Pirates will be away to Sekhukhune United in the DStv Premiership on 30 March, while Lions will host JDR Stars in the Motsepe Foundation Championship on 3 April.

Orlando Pirates (1) 4 (Monaheng og 21’, Mabasa 66’ 90+5’, Saleng 72’)

Hungry Lions 0

Pirates: Buthelezi, Monyane, Xoki (Mthethwa 79’), Sibisi, Maela (Hotto 65’), Makhaula (Mbatha 45+2’), Timm (Dlamini 65’), Mofokeng, Saleng, Maswanganyi (Kapinga 79’), Mabasa

Lions: Baadjies, Monaheng, Gamede, Mogotlane (Makhubela 79’), Peters, Khotso, Masisi (Mahapa 79’), Daniels (Tau 82’), Dondolo (Vaaltyn 79’), Modise, Pitso (Khanyi 64’)