Nedbank Cup - Last 32
Result: Orlando Pirates 3-3 Bidvest Wits (Wits won 3-2 on penalties)
Date: 09 February 2020
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Orlando Pirates were dumped out of the Nedbank Cup at the first hurdle after a penalty shoot-out loss to Bidvest Wits on Sunday afternoon.
Click through the gallery to see action from the thrilling encounter.
The Buccanners made three changes, Zakhele Lepasa was handed his first start of the season in the absence of Gabadinho Mhango, while goalkeeper Joris Delle and midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu also got rare starts.
Pirates started on the front foot but Wits got the first clear chance in the fourth minute after Eva Nga flicked a long ball into the path of Deon Hotto, who dragged his effort wide of the upright.
The Clever Boys were then were awarded a penalty in the 28th minute for a handball inside the box, which allowed Eva Nga to calmly slot into the bottom corner for the game's opening goal.
Just as Pirates took control in the latter stages, Gavin Hunt's men doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time with a goal almost out of nowhere, as Hotto latched onto a long ball, got past Ndlovu and drilled the ball into the far corner.
Pirates eventually pulled a goal back with 21 minutes remaining after Thembinkosi Lorch powered a strike past Goss on the right side of the box after he was sent clear on goal by a defence splitting pass from Luvuyo Memela.
The hosts were back on level terms in the 78th minute as Happy Jele pushed forward and glanced home Memela's free-kick over an advancing Goss.
Hunt's men came close to snatching the winner in the last three minutes after Delle spilled Hotto's into the path of Motupa but the French goalkeeper redeemed himself with a crucial save to keep out the former Pirates striker's goal-bound effort.
On to extra-time, There was drama in added time of the first-stanza after Motupa went down box but the referee did not award a penalty to Wits and immediately thereafter Memela was brought down inside the box and the spot-kick was awarded to Pirates.
But before the hosts could take the penalty, Wits players were remonstrating with the referee and Elias Pelembe recieved two quick yellow cards and he was sent off, before Lepasa converted the spot-kick to put Pirates ahead.
After a host of missed chances by Pirates, the drama continued in stoppage time of extra-time as Motupa snatched the equaliser for Hunt's men with a low strike that came off Delle's arm and just about crossed the line to send the clash to penalties.
However, the ten men of Wits managed to come out on top thanks Gorninho scoring the winning penalty to advance to the last 16.
Here's how they lined up:
Pirates: Delle, Maela, Jele, Nyauza, Pule, Ndlovu, Makaringe, Mabaso, Lepasa, Memela, Lorch
Subs: Mpontshane, Ndengane, Mako, Mntambo, Dlamini, Shonga, Muwowo.
Wits: Goss; Hlanti, Gordinho, Mkhwanazi, Hlatshwayo, Monare, Nange, Domingo, Hotto, Sekgota, Eva Nga.
Subs: Petersen, Nonyane, Pelembe, Alexander, Doutie, Motupa, Dzvukamanja.
