Pirates beat Stars to reach Nedbank Quarter finals
A spectacular long range shot from man-of-the match Mpho Makola, an own goal by Joseph Okumu plus a well taken goal by skipper Oupa Manyisa and Thembinkosi Lorch sealed the victory for the Buccaneers, while Stars goal came courtesy of Sifiso Mbhele.
Issa Sarr of Orlando Pirates and Moeketsi Sekola of Free State Stars during the Nedbank Cup Last 16 match between Free State Stars and Orlando Pirates at James Motlatsi Stadium on April 08, 2017 in Orkney, South Africa. (Photo by Frikkie Kapp/Gallo Images)
The victory was a sweet revenge for Kjell Jonevret’s men, who lost Stars in an Absa Premiership clash last weekend at the same venue.
However, it was Ea Lla Koto who threatened to score first, when Goodman Dlamini’s shot just went above Siyabonga Mpontshane poles in the 12th minute.
With the team’s going hard on in each other in search of an opener, it was Bucs who got into the score sheet first with a brilliant long range shot from outside the box by Makola in the 20th minute 20 minutes later, the home side got an equaliser through Mbhele with a well directed header.
With the teams having went into the half-time break tied on one goal each, Bucs started the second half on a bright note as they took the lead for the second time in the game when a Makola cross was headed inside the net by Stars defender Okumu in the first minute of the second stanza.
Bucs started building momentum on their play and Stars kept on chasing an equaliser.
It took a wonderful play by Manyisa who won the the ball inside Bucs half, before being let through by
Tendai Ndoro to slaughter in Pirates third goal of the match.
Stars suffered a huge blow when Makhahleni Makhaula was sent off after getting his second yellow card of the match.
Lorch sent Bucs into the quarterfinals of the Ke Yona Cup with the fourth goal for the Soweto giants in additional time.
