NRB cup runs over
Pirates scuttled out of Carling Cup
TWO hours of tenacious tackling followed by one terrific penalty save by a PSL rookie saw Richards Bay FC to a dramatic Carling Cup win over Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Clearly the underdogs, the Rich Boyz surprised one and all by the way they crowded out the skilful Buccaneers from getting clear shots at goal, with the visitors getting ever more frustrated as the game proceeded.
The first half was cat and mouse stuff, with Pirates dominating possession but unable to breach an NRB defensive line that was on terrific form, with captain Simphiwe Mcineka and Sibusiso Mthethwa gobbling up anything in the air and the likes of Tshepo Mabua, Abel Mabaso and Nkululeko Mia cleaning up in midfield.
Up front, young guns Yanela Mbuthuma and Thulani Gumede were a constant menace with their speed and aggression but there was no score by the break nor at the end of 90 minutes.
Shots at goal were few and far between but coach Kaitano Tembo’s men led the corner count.
And so it was on to extra time, with a number of NRB players showing signs of cramping due to the intense exertion, and both sides rang the changes during a ding-dong 30-minute confrontation.
Astute changes saw the Rich Boyz begin dominating proceedings but it remain scoreless after the added minutes and matters went to the penalty spot.
Playing in only his second top flight game, keeper Philasande Manqele
(20) guessed right and dived right to brilliantly save the shot from Deon
Hotto – the only failed effort from the 12 yard line in the entire shoot-out, with Mabua, Boikanyo Komane, Mthobisi Mngomezulu, Mbuthuma and Mcineka all calmly slotting the ball home for NRB.
Not only does the superb win take Richards Bay to the semi-finals of the competition, it will also give loads of self-belief as the DStv Premiership continues with a tough away outing to Stellenbosch on Tuesday evening.*