Orlando Pirates overcame Venda Football Academy in extra-time to seal their spot in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals on Saturday night.
Pirates welcomed back Nkosinathi Sibisi and Kermit Erasmus from the 4-1 win over Swallows FC, as Venda lined-up with Edmore Chirambadare and Rhulani Manzini in attack.
The Buccaneers had a lot of possession beyond their half-way line and should've gone ahead on ten minutes when Deon Hotto ran in-behind from a reverse pass before blazing over from close-range.
Jose Riveiro's men though surged ahead in the middle of the first half when Erasmus arrived in the area and beat two challengers to head in a cross from the left-side of the six-yard area.
Venda came alive moments thereafter and Chirambadare carved out their first shot through an effort from point-blank range, but goalkeeper Sipho Chaine rushed out and smothered.
The Limpopo-based side launched another in stoppage time with a free-kick from outside the box by Manzini, but Chaine got across his near post and saved.
Riveiro made a change after halftime when he introduced Zimbabwean Terrence Dzvukamanja, who was on target against Swallows for the goal-scorer Erasmus.
Venda were back on level terms two minutes in the second half as a loose ball from Hotto rolled through to Chirambadare to place in the near corner.
The Buccaneers edged close to regaining the lead after 64 minutes with a shot in the area by Dzvukamanja following a ball from the right, but Harold Ndlovu steered the effort away.
Venda threatened the lead before the remaining 20 minutes through a first-time header at the far-post by Rudzani Thobo, but it was cleared off the line.
The Buccaneers surged forward at the other end and saw Thembinkosi Lorch riffle off the crossbar with a shot from outside the area.
Having come on at the break, Dzvukamanja was withdrawn by the host late on and had Evidence Makgopa come on for him as the match went to extra-time.
After a quiet opening period in extra-time, Pirates claimed the winner in the 113th minutes as Lorch picked up a lay-off from Makgopa and finished past Ndlovu to send his side to the last eight.
Confirmed line-ups:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Mako, Xoki, Sibisi, Hotto, Timm, Ndlondlo, Dlamini, Saleng, Lorch, Erasmus
Subs: Mpontshane, Monyane, Mthethwa, Motshwari, Makaringe, Pule, Makgopa, Dzvukamanja, Marou
Venda Football Academy: Ndlovu, Makhubele, Ramonyai, Siyasi, Ngubane, Jodwana, Tavengwa, Chirambadare, Thobo, Mariba, Manzini.
Subs: Munyai, Mofokeng, Ndlela, Mathebula, Mbedzi, Mutsivhuli, Nene, Babatunde, Rankoko.
You must be Sign In to post and read comments.
Click here to register: Sign In