Thembinkosi Lorch leads Pirates to victory


By Neo Poho

A late extra-time winner by Thembinkosi Lorch against Venda Football Academy was enough to see Orlando Pirates progress to the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup on Saturday evening at the Orlando Stadium.

Pirates who were expected to ease past the Motsepe Foundation Championship side were given a run for their money as Venda Football Academy rose to the occasion in a bid to cause an upset in the competition.

Kermit Erasmus broke the deadlock for Pirates in the 24th minute of the encounter after Deon Hotto squandered a huge opportunity to give Pirates the lead earlier on in the encounter as his shot inside the box went all the way up to the stands.

The goal seemed to put Pirates in a commanding position as the Soweto giants continued to dominate the match in the first half.

With the two sides heading to halftime with Pirates still leading the encounter, Venda Football Academy started the second half with a bit of urgency and they were dually rewarded as Edmore Chirambadare took advantage of some bad decision making by Pirates' Deon Hotto in his own box to restore parity in the 49th minute.

The Motsepe Foundation Championship side grew in confidence as they also started to create chances of their own taking the match to the Buccaneers at regular intervals.

With no team scoring the all important second goal, the encounter went to extra-time and just as it seemed like matters were heading to penalties, Lorch pounced on Evidence Makgopa's header and with only the keeper to beat, he comfortably guided the ball into the back of the net.

Lorch has now scored two goals this season ever since his return from injury with both of them being scored in the Nedbank Cup.

The victory means that the Buccaneers have progressed to the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2021 when they were eliminated by Mamelodi Sundowns in the last eight.

Jose Riviero's charges will wait for Monday to hear who will they face in the quarterfinals however, at the back of their minds knowing they have a tough match against SuperSport United in the DSTV Premiership on the 18th of March.

More Nedbank Cup last 16 action continues on Sunday as Kaizer Chiefs take on Casric Stars at the FNB Stadium however, before that TS Galaxy will welcome Stellenbosch FC at the Mbombela Stadium.

Article Tags

Football

Nedbank Cup

Orlando Pirates

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