Orlando Pirates’ Andre De Jong, Thalente Mbatha, Patrick Maswanganyi and Sipho Mbule all scored to send the Buccaneers into the Nedbank Cup quarter finals.
The Buccaneers set the tone early at Moses Mabhida Stadium, pinning TTM deep and forcing mistakes with sharp movement.
EARLY DOMINANCE FROM ORLANDO PIRATES
That pressure paid off inside the opening ten minutes when Oswin Appollis was clipped inside the box, leaving the referee with no option but to point to the spot.
Andre De Jong stepped up calmly and converted, opening his Orlando Pirates account to make it 1–0.
The Sea Robbers didn’t drop the tempo after the breakthrough. Between the 10th and 25th minute, they continued to dominate possession, pushing TTM further back and recycling attacks patiently.
The second goal arrived in the 16th minute when Thalente Mbatha tried his luck from outside the box, his effort taking a deflection before looping into the net for a 2–0 advantage.
TTM struggled to cope with Orlando Pirates’ intensity for long spells but found a way back into the contest just before the break.
In the 38th minute, Sithembiso Ngobe struck a well-taken free kick that beat the wall and found the net, reducing the deficit to 2–1 and briefly shifting the momentum.
Orlando Pirates, however, remained composed and ensured they went into halftime still in control of the match.
ORLANDO PIRATES SUBSTITUTES FINISH THE JOB
The second half followed a similar pattern, with the Soweto giants dictating play and limiting TTM’s chances in transition.
The decisive moment came in the 50th minute when substitute Patrick Maswanganyi made an instant impact. A sharp one-two through the centre with Yanela Mbuthuma opened up the defence, allowing Maswanganyi to finish confidently and restore the two-goal cushion at 3–1.
With the game stretching, Orlando Pirates continued rotating possession and waiting for the right moments to strike.
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That final moment arrived late on when Sipho Mbule found space outside the box in the 90th minute and unleashed a powerful low drive into the corner, sealing his first goal for the club and wrapping up a convincing 4–1 win.
The victory sends Orlando Pirates into the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals. Attention now shifts back to the Betway Premiership, where they host Marumo Gallants at the Orlando Amstel Arena next Saturday at 15:00.
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DO YOU SEE ORLANDO PIRATES LIFTING BOTH THE NEDBANK CUP AND BETWAY PREMIERSHIP TITLES AT THE END OF THE SEASON?
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