Can Bucs chop Celtic?
Thabang Monare calls for a simple match-by-match approach.
Orlando Pirates midfielder Thabang Monare says their comeback against Maritzburg United was down to their strong character, which saw them move into the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup, setting up a potentially epic clash with Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Buccaneers will take on Sundowns in the last eight, if Masandawana win their re-scheduled last-16 game against Polokwane City.
Monare put in a sterling performance against the Team of Choice, enough to earn him the Man-of-the-Match award.
Pirates went into half time trailing 1-0, but three second- half goals earned them the victory.
Thabiso Kutumela put the home side in the lead, but substitute Kabelo Dlamini levelled the scores for the Buccaneers, before Deon Hotto and Vincent Pule also netted for Pirates.
“I feel like we had to be tested in terms of character, and we just proved that we have the right attitude, big hearts and the right character. It’s not every day at that a team comes back from a goal down away from home,” said the midfielder.
“I feel good and obviously I can’t leave out the help of my teammates. I’m in the right frame of mind and I want to help the team win games. But it’s one game at a time, we qualified for the quarterfinals. Now we are looking forward to our next league game, that’s what we have to focus on.”
Bucs, who last won the Ke Yona Cup back in 2014, have placed themselves in a good position to win their second trophy of the season.
The Soweto club won the MTN8 early in the season, ending a six-year trophy drought and are on a six game unbeaten run in all competitions.