Staff Reporter.
Orlando Pirates began their Nedbank Cup defence with ease after thrashing amateur side Crystal Lake FC 6-0 at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The cup tie was effectively over by halftime as the Buccaneers raced into a four-goal lead and they added another two goals in the second half to secure a comprehensive victory.
Jose Riveiro’s side had only discovered the identity of their opponents five days earlier due to a dispute between Crystal Lake and Middelburg United, which was finally resolved by Safa arbitration in the week leading up to the match.
The Safa Ehlanzeni Regional Men’s League outfit played nine games to qualify for the Nedbank Cup proper, but their day got off to the worst possible start when Adam Khumalo deflected a corner past his own goalkeeper after just four minutes.
Pirates doubled their lead four minutes later after being awarded a penalty and Tapelo Xoki sent Excellent Mkhonto the wrong way from 12 yards out to further gee up the crowd.
Crystal Lake were all at sea and they conceded again on 11 minutes as Relebohile Mofokeng beat Mkhonto from a tight angle to register his first goal for the Soweto giants.
Bucs continued to carve out chances and they eventually made it 4-0 on 33 minutes with a fine finish from Patrick Maswanganyi, who got on the end of Mofokeng’s cross to cap off a brilliant move.
Any hopes the minnows had of stemming the tide in the second half quickly evaporated when Xoki rose highest to head home a corner in the 51st minute.
Riveiro rang the changes soon afterwards, bringing on Vincent Pule, Tshegofatso Mabasa and Lesedi Kapinga for Mofokeng, Makgopa, Kimvuidi respectively and the substitutes didn’t take long to get involved in the action.
Mabasa would complete the rout 11 minutes from time as he arrived at the near post to guide a header past substitute keeper Busani Mabunda, who replaced Mkhonto towards the end of the first half.
Pirates will join Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United, Sekhukhune United, University of Pretoria, AmaZulu, TS Galaxy and Stellenbosch in the round of 16, although their next assignment is against Polokwane City in the DStv Premiership on 2 March.
Meanwhile Moroka Swallows progressed to the round of 16 of the Nedbank Cup this week, following their 3-1 penalty shootout win over Platinum City Rovers at the Isak Steyl Stadium on Saturday afternoon.