Pirates’ Rally Not Enough As Magesi KOed Them Out

Magesi held their nerve in a thrilling Carling Knockout Cup Round of 16 encounter, overcoming a late surge from Orlando Pirates to win 3-2 at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

Clinton Larsen’s men executed a well-organized game plan as they scored all their goals in the first half, while the Buccaneers fell just short of a dramatic comeback on home turf.

Pirates began the match on the front foot, applying pressure with a series of early attacks. Despite their dominance in the opening exchanges, the Buccaneers were unable to make their opportunities count, registering only off-target efforts and a succession of corner kicks.

Magesi, however, made the most of their first meaningful chance. A well-placed cross from Edmore Chirambadare found Delano Abrahams at the back post, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to give the visitors a 1-0 lead against the run of play.

Moments later, Magesi fortuitously extended their advantage. Chirambadare’s cross once again found Abrahams, whose delivery into the box ricocheted off Thabiso Sesane and into the back of his net, doubling Magesi’s lead to 2-0.

Pirates’ defensive struggles continued as Sesane, in an attempt to atone for his earlier mistake, fouled Abrahams inside the penalty area, giving Magesi a chance to go further ahead. Although Sipho Chaine made a brilliant save from Chirambadare’s initial penalty, the winger reacted quickest to nod in the rebound, making it 3-0 just before halftime.

The Buccaneers returned after the break with renewed energy, making three substitutions early in the second half, bringing on Evidence Makgopa, Mohau Nkotha, and Patrick Maswanganyi. The changes added urgency to their attack, but the visitors’ defense remained resolute, and chances were few.

Pirates finally broke through in the 86th minute, as Kabelo Dlamini’s long-range strike beat Magesi goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze at the near post to make it 3-1. The goal sparked life into the Buccaneers, and moments later, Makgopa’s deflected shot pulled them even closer, reducing the deficit to 3-2 with just minutes remaining in regulation time.

Despite Pirates’ late rally and five added minutes of stoppage time they thought they had scored through Mohau Nkota but the goal was ruled offside, and Magesi’s defense held firm, preventing the Buccaneers from finding an equalizer. 

For Larsen’s side, the victory was a well-earned triumph as they booked their place in the quarterfinals of the competition. Pirates, meanwhile, will be left to reflect on missed opportunities and defensive errors that ultimately cost them a chance to progress further.

Pirates’ loss at home sees them end their 11-game unbeaten.