Shoot-out spares Pirates' blushes

ORLANDO Pirates came back from the brink of disaster to snatch a hard earned 3-1 win on penalties over Thanda Royal Zulu in the last-32 stage of the Nedbank Cup at the Umhlathuze Sports Complex yesterday afternoon.

Thanda Royal Zulu (2) 2

Orlando Pirates (0) 2

(Pirates won 3-1 on penalties)

The National First Division home side held a shock 2-0 lead at the half-time break after a brace by Andile Fikizolo.

Kermit Erasmus and Helder Pelembe hauled the Buccaneers back to parity by the end of normal time and Andile Gcaba gave Pirates a 3-2 lead during extra time.

But Mhlengi Cele's last-minute equalising goal at the end of extra time sent the game to a penalty shoot-out.

Bucs scored three of their penalties and Thanda managed to net only one.

There will be more upsets in the coming rounds of the Nedbank Cup, but weirdly named AmaBEE could not progress further in the competition despite giving Bidvest Wits a run for their money at Sinaba Stadium, writes Mazola Molefe.

Wits won 2-0 after a goalless first half.

The Premier League side struggled to break down their fourth-division counterparts for much of this encounter, but put their name in the hat for Thursday's round of 16 draw.

Getaneh Gibeto broke the deadlock in the 56th minute, and Asive Langwe added another in the 89th minute after a poor first half in which AmaBEE were the better side. The home side had more shots on target than the Clever Boys, who were well below par.

But coach Gavin Hunt will take this win, especially in the Nedbank Cup, a tournament that he has come close to winning, with former club SuperSport United having reached the final in both of the past two seasons.

The match appeared very low key even though a Premier League club was in town.

There was very little to market the game in a township that has produced its share of stars over the years.

Daveyton, the venue for this first round cup tie, has in the past been home to the late Scara Ngobese, Thabiso "Skaps" Malatsi and Jabu Mahlangu (previously Pule), and it was easy to see why with the abundance of talent on show yesterday afternoon.