Defending champions Orlando Pirates advanced to the Nedbank Cup round of 16 after defeating Richards Bay 3-1 on Sunday afternoon.
Nedbank Cup
Result: Richards Bay 1-3 Orlando Pirates
Date: 26 January 2025
Venue: King Zwelithini Stadium
Pirates made five changes from their win over Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League, as Mohau Nkota, Tshegofatso Mabasa, Deano Van Rooyen, Tapelo Xoki and Melusi Buthelezi were brought in.
The Buccaneers were on the front foot in the opening exchanges but only started to have space in the last third midway into the first stanza.
As Patrick Maswanganyi broke the deadlock for Jose Riveiro's charges with a deflected shot on the edge of the box that looped away from goalkeeper Ian Otieno.
The Buccaneers kept on coming as four minutes later Maswanganyi doubled their lead and completed his brace with a strike away from Otiena after a through ball by Relebohile Mofokeng.
Richards Bay only started to venture forward just after the half-hour mark as Thato Mohlamme was unfortunate not to pull a goal back with a strike the ricochetted off the post.
The Natal Rich Boyz were encouraged and Somila Ntsundwana had a good chance in the box a moment later but he could not wrap his foot on a volley unmarked in the box, as the visitors took a 2-0 lead to the interval.
Richards Bay changed the shape of their attack after the halftime the break as Thabiso Kutumela replaced Ntsundwana, which seemingly had a good effect.
The hosts threatened from the restart as two minutes later Yamela Mbuthuma reduced the deficit with a tap-in after Buthelezi parried a shot by Thulani Gumede.
Pirates were looking to kill the game that was on the edge in the last 15 minutes as Kabelo Dlamini replaced Thalenthe Mbatha in an attacking change.
The game was still on the edge in the dying minutes and Mabasa eventually sealed the last 16 spot for The Buccaneers in added time with a strike across Otiena from a through ball by Dlamini.
Here's how they started:
Richards Bay: Otieno, Dube, Ndaba, Mabua, Mcineka, Mthethwa, Gumede, Mhlongo, Mbuthuma, Mohlamme, Ntsundwana
Subs: Magoola, Dube, Ngema, Dlamini, Gcaba, Ndelu, Kutumela, Radebe, Conco
Orlando Pirates: Buthelezi, Sesane, Xoki, Van Rooyen, Hotto, Mbatha, Makhaula, Nkota, Mofokeng, Mabasa
Subs: Dladla, Shandu, Ndlozi, Rasebotja, Kimvuidi, Maela, Dlamini, Makgopa, Ndlondlo
