Orlando Pirates booked their spot in the Nedbank quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup after coming from behind to defeat Maritzburg United 3-1 on Saturday evening.
Pirates were without the injured Thembinkosi Lorch as Linda Mntambo was given a start while Bongokuhle Hlongwane partnered Thabiso Kutumela for Maritzburg, who handed a debut to Cameron Carnell, the nephew of former Bafana Bafana star, Bradley.
The Team of Choice went very close to going ahead in the seventh minute after shot-stopper Richard Ofori parried Sibusiso Hlubi’s shot into the path of the lurking Hlongwane at the back post but Happy Jele made a crucial clearance.
The hosts eventually grabbed the lead two minutes later after Ofori lost the ball out of his area trying to play from the back, which allowed Kutumela to slot into an empty net from 20 yards out.
Hlongwane almost made it 2-0 for Ernst Middendorp’s charges on the half-hour mark with a looping header that was parried over the crossbar by Ofori.
Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer made a change at the start of the second half, after bringing on Kabelo Dlamini in place of Ben Motshwari.
The change paid off as Dlamini got the equaliser 11 minutes after the break with a strike from just outside the box that took a deflection off Clayton Daniels and sailed into the top corner.
Deon Hotto went on to make hand the Buccaneers immediately from the restart with a close-range finish into a gaping net after a square ball by Mntambo caught the Maritzburg defence flat-footed.
Vincent Pule gave the visitors a two-goal cushion in the last 12 minutes with a side-footed shot at the near post after goalkeeper Marcel Engelhardt parried Dlamini’s long-range shot into his path.
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Kaizer Chiefs have identified a potential first signing of Swallows Star Njabulo Ngcobo under the Gavin Hunt era, though confirmation will only be in July.
The Siya crew can reveal that Amakhosi are in talks with Swallows for their star defender Njabulo Ngcobo and are prepared to offer money and players to ensure the deal goes over the line when their FIFA ban is lifted. learn more
Source – SoccerLaduma
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