The swagger is back for Pirates

Orlando Pirates coach Kjell Jonevret felt his side played more like a team following their convincing 4-1 victory over Free State Stars to get into the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup at the James Motlatsi Stadium on Saturday.

It was a sweet revenge for the Buccaneers, having lost to Ea Lla Koto just a week ago in an Absa Premiership clash played at the same venue.

The Bucs players were hungry for the win, with skipper Oupa Manyisa showing glimpses of his old self with his form slumping after coming back from a long injury lay-off, while Mpho Makola (pictured) was back after missing the previous match to give a Manof-the-Match performance.

Makola opened the scoring for Bucs with a long range shot, before Sifiso Mbhele equalised for the home-side in the first half.

However, it was Bucs who came back stronger, as Stars defender Joseph Okumu headed the ball inside his own net from a Makola cross, Manyisa getting the third goal for the visitors and Thembinkosi Lorch sealed the victory in additional time.

“I am happy because we played like a team today, we were little unlucky in the first half, we could have scored more goals and they scored through a set-piece and in the second half we played well, I am satisfied with the performance,” said the Bucs coach.

“I think we played smart and good football.”

Pirates host Maritzburg United at the Orlando Stadium tomorrow, and with the team having played so well, Jonevret doesn’t want to get carried away.

“It could be a totally different one. I know the players much better now after four to five weeks of working with them. We have a few key players – Makola was out last game for example and you saw what he gave us today.”