Mabasa Hat-Trick Fires Pirates Into Nedbank Cup Quarterfinals

Tshegofatso Mabasa scored a hat-trick as Orlando Pirates defeated Baroka 3-1 in the Nedbank Cup round of 16 at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

Two of Mabasa’s goals came in the first half, during which Pirates dominated the Motsepe Foundation Championship side from Soweto.

Pirates are aiming to become the first team to win the Nedbank Cup three times, having won it twice in a row in the past two seasons. They have now won their last 12 matches in this competition, with their last defeat coming against Marumo Gallants in 2022.

Baroka faced a daunting challenge against a Pirates side eager to rebound from their painful 4-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns last weekend. Baroka’s last victory over Pirates was in December 2018, when they won the Carling Knockout Cup via penalties at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. The two teams had not met since April 2022, when Baroka was still competing in the Betway Premiership before their relegation that season.

Pirates settled into the game quickly. Relebohile Mofokeng cut inside and unleashed a shot, forcing Baroka goalkeeper Malcom Jacobs to make a fine save, tipping the ball over the bar. However, Kabelo Kgositsile was lively for Baroka on the left wing.

Pirates struck first, taking the initiative in the 29th minute. Deon Hotto used a clever move to evade his marker and delivered a cross for Tshegofatso Mabasa to finish.

A beautiful passing sequence by Pirates led to their second goal. Mofokeng, Kabelo Dlamini, and Patrick Maswanganyi carved open the Baroka defense, allowing Mabasa to score his second goal on the stroke of halftime. Maswanganyi initiated the impressive attacking move.

The defending champions were firmly in control at this point. Baroka, who famously upset Kaizer Chiefs in this competition in the 2010/11 season, needed a miracle to come back and defeat Pirates in the second half.

While Baroka showed signs of improvement, Pirates remained dangerous on the counterattack. Maswanganyi dribbled into the box, but Jacobs made another good save. Phillip Ndlondlo, who scored for Marumo Gallants in their 2020/21 Nedbank Cup triumph, hit the crossbar with a powerful long-range effort that left Jacobs helpless.

Mabasa completed his hat-trick in the 63rd minute after another excellent passage of play by Pirates. Mofokeng chipped the ball to Maswanganyi, who backheeled it into Mabasa’s path for a clinical finish past Jacobs. This was Mabasa’s second hat-trick of the season.

Unexpectedly, Dlamini gifted Baroka a consolation goal. He lost possession and then committed a foul on the edge of the box. Sydney Malivha’s powerful free-kick went through the wall and past an unsighted Sipho Chaine in the 75th minute.

Baroka seemed energized by the goal and had time to score two more, but it would have required a significant effort. Ultimately, they were unable to mount a comeback.

Pirates join SuperSport United, Marumo Gallants, Stellenbosch, and Durban City in the quarterfinals. The draw will take place on Monday.