Pirates dim All Stars

All Stars ........... 0 Orl. Pirates ....... 2

JOHANNESBURG – Orlando Pirates avoided a ‘cupset’ with a 2-0 triumph over second-tier All Stars in a Nedbank Cup last 32 match at the Bidvest Stadium in Johannesburg last night.

The Buccaneers booked their spot in the next round thanks to second-half strikes from Monnapule Saleng and Thembinkosi Lorch, as their class and persistence ultimately overwhelmed the well-organised but toothless Motsepe Foundation Championship team.

Pirates suffered an early injury blow, with Goodman Mosele replaced by Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo inside the opening 10 minutes, yet that did not disrupt their dominance of possession in the opening quarter of the match.

PRESSURE

Stars saw relatively little of the ball, but their solidity in defence and a rapier-like pace on the counter attack ensured that they did not allow a gradual pressure to build. In fact, the second-tier team began to see more of the ball just before the half-hour mark and had a couple of threatening moments via Sabelo Nyembe and Justice Figareido.

On 38 minutes the Buccaneers thought they had claimed the lead via Sandile Mthethwa, who bundled the ball over the goal line after meeting a free kick delivery from the right, but the defender was correctly flagged offside. The first half closed with the score still locked at 0-0 – and neither goalkeeper had been called on to make any truly notable saves.

Pirates made a change at the start of the second half which saw the return of Thembinkosi Lorch from a lengthy absence. He replaced Kabelo Dlamini in a change which boosted the attack.

The visitors were duly much more incisive and almost claimed the lead on 55 minutes, with Ndlondlo forcing a sharp save from Stars goalkeeper Ayanda Mtshali, before a follow-up effort from Terrence Dzvukamanja struck the woodwork.