Orlando Pirates began their quest to defend the Nedbank Cup title with a resounding 6-0 victory over Crystal Lake FC, an amateur side, at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday. The Buccaneers dominated the match from start to finish, showcasing their superiority over their third-tier opponents.
The scoring started early for Pirates, with Olisah Ndah finding the back of the net in the fourth minute. The lead was quickly doubled when Tapelo Xoki converted a penalty in the eighth minute. Relebohile Mofokeng and Patrick Maswanganyi added to the tally, ensuring a comfortable 4-0 lead for Pirates at halftime.
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The second half saw no let-up from the Pirates as they continued to dominate. Xoki completed his brace in the 51st minute, with Tshegofatsho Mabasa adding a sixth goal to seal the emphatic victory. The win secured Pirates’ place in the last 16 of the competition they won for the ninth time last year.
Coach Jose Riveiro fielded a strong lineup, leaving no room for complacency against their lower-ranked opponents. Crystal Lake FC from Thulamahashe in Mpumalanga struggled to mount any significant challenge throughout the match.
With their convincing win, Pirates joined Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United, Sekhukhune FC, Stellenbosch FC, University of Pretoria, TS Galaxy, and AmaZulu FC in the next round of the Nedbank Cup. The remaining last-32 matches are set to take place on Sunday, with Kaizer Chiefs’ clash against Milford FC being the standout fixture.
The draw for the last 16 will be conducted in Johannesburg on Monday night, adding to the anticipation of the upcoming matches in the prestigious tournament. Orlando Pirates have sent a strong message to their rivals with their dominant performance, and they will be eager to continue their winning streak as they progress in the Nedbank Cup.
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