Nedbank Cup

 

Full-Time: Maluti 4-1 Pirates

 

Date: 23 February 2013

 

Venue: Charles Mopeli Stadium

 

Maluti FET College handed Orlando Pirates their heaviest defeat of the season as the SAFA Second Division side smashed the Sea Robbers 4-1 at the Charles Mopeli Stadium on Saturday.

 

The minnows had the brightest of starts when they hit the Sea Robbers on the counter in the first minute as Lucky Mokoena was slid in and with Senzo Meyiwa way off his line to charge down the ball, the striker slipped the ball past him. Bheki Nzunga tried to chase down the ball but he could only help it over the line as they fell behind after just 47 seconds.

 

Pirates settled but Maluti were looking to strike on the counter at every opportunity. Mohlolo Khuse was also brave between the sticks for the home side as he made two telling saves.

 

First, in the 12th minute, he smothered a shot from Rudolf Bester after he had been played in at the far post before the stopper frustrated him again five minutes later with a similar stop.

 

Maluti then responded perfectly when a free-kick was lofted in behind the defence and Mashale Rantabane came storming in to finish with a perfect diving header.

 

The home side was brimming with confidence as they had the Pirates defence scrambling five minutes later but they hit the side netting.

 

Pirates were finding space in the middle of the park but their final pass was mostly lacking. The visitors almost pulled a goal back with two minutes left in the half but Jabulane Rantho was on the line to nod a chipped effort away from goal as Maluti held onto their two-goal lead.

 

The Sea Robbers would have been under pressure to find a way back into the game after the break but things just got worse as 11 minutes in Mokoena made it 3-0 to Maluti with a sensational looping header that gave Meyiwa no chance.

 

Just a minute later Maluti had a chance to add another when Happy Jele was adjudged to have pushed in the area although the decision looked very harsh. For Pirates fans, justice was done though as Meyiwa went the right way to catch a poor spot-kick.

 

The stopper stood up immediately and launched an attack which ended with Manyisa being found in the middle where he turned and lashed a low shot home.

 

Pirates pressed forward but were unable to make the most of their chances. Takesure Chinyama should have scored when he was found free in the middle but headed over.

 

Maluti found the extra energy needed as they put in some inspired defending and they were not yet done humiliating their star-studded opponents.

 

With nine minutes to go a cross was nodded back across goal and Rantabane nodded home from close range as the Pirates defence was non-existent.

 

The stunned Buccaneers were unable to get back to their game in the final few minutes as they slumped to an embarrassing defeat.

 

Maluti: Mohlolo Khuse, Jabulane Rantho, Lucas Penze, Mashale Rantabane, Thubang Ngolela, Tumelo Mokwa, Tsietsi Maduna, Malefetsane Rankati, Molibedi Mokoena, Mokoena Lucky.

 

Pirates: Senzo Meyiwa, Bheki Nzunga, Thabo Matlaba, Happy Jele, Ayanda Gcaba, Lehlogonolo Maselesa, Onyekachi Okonkwo, Oupa Manyisa, Sifiso Myeni, Rudolf Bester, Collins Mbesuma.

For more details go to http://www.soccerladuma.com