Orlando Pirates booked their spot in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals after defeating AmaZulu 4-2 in thrilling quarter-final tie on Saturday night.
Nedbank Cup
Result: AmaZulu 2-4 Orlando Pirates
Date: 13 April 2024
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Pirates made only one enforced change as Innocent Maela took the place of the suspended Tapelo Xoki while Tshegofatso Mabasa continued to lead the line, supported by Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi and Kabelo Dlamini.
The Buccaneers had two big chances in the first three minutes, both with Mabasa going through on goal, but his first shot on target was cleared off the line by Ramahlwe Mphahlele and moments later was denied by goalkeeper Veli Mothwa in a one-on-one.
Usuthu, meanwhile, absorbed the pressure for the better part of the early stages and were not a danger going forward.
Up until the half-hour mark as Hendrick Ekstein broke the deadlock for the hosts with a strike from the edge of the box following a break attack.
Jose Riveiro's charges upped their tempo and Maswanganyi eventually levelled matters on the stroke of half-time with a well taken penalty on the other side of Mothwa after a foul in the box on Makhehlene Makhaula by Taariq Fielies.
The game opened up straight from the interval, as Ekstein had a good chance to restore the lead for AmaZulu after going through on goal in the box but Maela made a crucial tackle from behind before he could take a shot.
Pirates took time to find their rhythm but Dlamini gave them the lead shortly before the hour-mark with a well taken free-kick that swerved away from the wall and left shot-stopper Veli Mothwa flat-footed towards the far post.
The Soweto giants' lead, however, was short-lived, as Fielies equalised for Pablo Franco Martin's troops with a header from close-range after a cross by Abbubaker Mobara.
In end to end attacks, Ekstein was unfortunate not to make it 3-2 for Usuthu in the last 18 minutes with a strike that came off the crossbar.
Riveiro's men pressurised AmaZulu and Makhehlene Makhaula finally gave them the lead eight minutes before time with a shot from a rebound in the box.
Maswanganyi put the game to bed for Pirates in added time as he made it 4-2 and completed his brace with a well taken shot in the box after he was setup by Mabasa.
Here's how they lined up:
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Sikhakhane, Hanamub, Fielies, Mphahlele, Mobara, Motshwari, Moremi, Letsoalo, Mbanjwa, Esktein
Subs: Mbanjwa, Ngobeni, Jooste, Gumede, Ngema, Human, Mulenga, Kwem, Dion
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Hotto, Maela, Sesane, Maswanganyi, Makhaula, Timm, Lebitso, Mofokeng, Dlamini, Mabasa
Subs: Mpontshane, Mbatha, Mthethwa, Kimvuidi, Kapinga, Ndlondlo, Saleng, Lepasa, Monyane
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