Tendai Ndoro brace keeps Orlando Pirates' CAF hopes alive

04 April 2016 - 02:18 By Tshepang Mailwane

Tendai Ndoro won the battle of the Zimbabwean strikers and edged Orlando Pirates following a 3-1 victory over Jomo Cosmos in the Nedbank Cup last 16 at Olen Park Stadium in Potchefstroom on Sunday afternoon. Ndoro was the star of the show at Orlando Stadium, netting a brace as he outshone compatriot Charlton Mashumba, the scorer of Ezenkosi's solitary goal in the first half.When Pirates took the lead as early as the third minute through Ndoro, Cosmos coach Jomo Sono must have been worried that his team was in for another hiding from the rejuvenated Buccaneers.Ndoro, who scored a double in the 2-0 win over Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the last 32, headed the ball into an empty net after Cosmos goalkeeper Lesego Modiba had misjudged a cross from Rooi Mahamutsa, who returned to the starting line-up in the absence of suspended Edwin Gyimah.But Cosmos players did not panic . They kept passing the ball around comfortably in midfield and got the equalising goal after 25 minutes, thanks to the brilliance of Mashumba.He showed why Sono speaks so highly of him when he curled home a beauty from long range, which struck the upright before rattling the back of the net.But it was all Pirates after the equaliser .Cosmos's lanky defenders dealt with a lot of the crosses that were whipped in from the flanks, but somehow could not stop one of the shortest players on the pitch, Luvuyo Memela, from scoring.The winger headed home Mpho Makola's set piece in the third of first-half stoppage time to give the visitors an edge going into the break.Ndoro completed his brace with a tap-in four minutes into the second half, but a lot of the credit should go to Thabo Rakhale for the goal.The skilful winger used his space to get forward on the flank before delivering a low cross, which Ndoro was happy to turn home with his left foot."It's not just about Tendai, even if I score, it's down to the team effort," said the striker,"This is a big team, we have national strikers and so it's not easy. I have to keep working hard to make things happen."Matlaba was named man of the match.With the victory, Pirates keep alive their hopes of winning the competition and qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup.In the day's other game, Baroka FC upset Golden Arrows, beating the hosts 2-0 at Chatsworth Stadium...

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