Pirates fight back with a sparkling performance
Maritzburg United (1) 1 Orlando Pirates (0) 3
GOALS: Maritzburg United — Thabiso Kutumela (9m)
Orlando Pirates —Kabelo Dlamini (56m), Deon Hotto (57m), Vincent Pule (78m)
● Orlando Pirates put together a tour de force second-half performance, fighting back from a goal down and blowing Maritzburg United off the Harry Gwala Stadium pitch 3-1 in last night’s Nedbank Cup last-16 thriller.
Thabiso Kutumela put Maritzburg ahead in the ninth minute. A lightning double strike for Pirates in the 56th and 57th, by substitute Kabelo Dlamini and Deon Hotto, put Bucs ahead, Vincent Pule banging in a third in the 78th.
Maritzburg coach Ernst Middendorp made six changes from his battling team’s 10 home loss on February 12 against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in the league, where they are in last place. It included a debut at left-back for Cameron Carnell, 18, nephew of ex-Bafana Bafana fullback Bradley.
For Pirates it was one change from Josef Zinnbauer after a league and cup run of four wins and a draw, Linda Mntambo replacing injured Thembinkosi Lorch at striker.
This season’s MTN8 winners Bucs showed the mettle of cup contenders fighting back with a dominant second half against a team spoiling for a fight.
When these teams meet at Harry Gwala it can be exciting. This contest was fast-paced and end-to-end.
United, with winger Sibusiso Hlubi troubling Bucs, edged chances in the first half, Pirates making their own task harder with unforced errors. The home team had two clear chances, one converted, inside the opening 10 minutes.
Bucs left-back Paseka Mako’s stray header across his box saw Hlubi in, Richard Ofori having to come out of his area and intercept. The goalkeeper attempted to shield rather than clear, allowing Bongokuhle Hlongwane to steal the ball, and Kutumela to lob into an exposed goal from 25m.
United lost centreback Kwanda Mngonyama, injured in the 31st minute, replaced by Phiwayinkosi Zuma.
Just after 10 minutes from the restart Bucs struck twice. From a throw-in the ball was lobbed to Hotto on the edge of the area, who teed up Dlamini.
Seconds after the kickoff Fortune Makaringe’s through pass was perfect for Mtambo, who played the ball across the face, Hotto sliding in to finish.
Bucs secured the result with an emphatic third, Dlamini's skidding shot parried by Engelhardt and Pule banging in the rebound.