Could this win mark the rise again of the faltering Ghosts?

JOBURG – Orlando Pirates' 1-0 win over Stellenbosch in the round of 16 of the Telkom Knockout Trophy 2019 has left many wondering whether this could mark a turn of the corner by the Buccaneers.

October 21, 2019

Sipho Siso 2 minutes read

Thembinkosi Lorch netted a last-minute pile-driver to propel faltering Orlando Pirates into the quarter-finals of the 2019 Telkom Knockout to ensure The Ghosts are still in with a chance for silverware this season.

Pirates and Absa Premiership rookies Stellenbosch appeared to be headed for extra-time and most probably the dreaded penalty shootout when Lorch, who also struck a beauty for Bafana Bafana during the Afcon 2019 in Cairo, Egypt, a couple of months ago, said he was having none of that.

Lorch received the ball just a couple of metres from the halfway line and instead of playing the ball forward, he took it upon himself to try his luck and was rewarded handsomely with a goal in the 84th minute.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso ‘Jingles’ Mosimane shares the stage with Orlando Pirates’ Thembinkosi Lorch during one of the many PSL monthly awards. Lorch snatched a last-minute winner for Pirates in the Telkom Knockout. *Photo: Sipho Siso*

The Buccaneers will be hoping to go all the way now after losing to Baroka FC in last year’s final at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

Since the abrupt departure of coach Milutin Sredejovic a few months ago, the Buccaneers have been struggling to find their footing under caretaker coach Rhulani Mokwena, who rued the numerous missed chances in the game during a post-match interview.

Orlando Pirates’ Thembinkosi Lorch with a trophy during one of the many PSL monthly awards. Lorch snatched a last-minute winner for Pirates in the Telkom Knockout. *Photo: Sipho Siso*

A quarter-finals draw will be conducted later to determine who meets who, but the interesting thing is that all the so-called big giants of the Premier Soccer League such as Pirates, their fellow Soweto giants and former Cup Kings of Mzansi football Kaizer Chiefs, Tshwane’s Mamelodi Sundowns and their crosstown rivals, SuperSport United, are all in the quarter-finals and there is already talk of a possible derby on the cards among fans of Pirates and Chiefs.

Amakhosi qualified for the next round after they dispatched Cape Town City on penalties following a 1–1 draw after the 90 and a goalless extra time. Chiefs won 4–2 on penalties.

Highlands Park eliminated Limpopo’s Black Leopards 6–5 on penalties at the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa after they were both deadlocked at 0–0 after regulation and extra time while Sundowns posted a 5–0 drubbing of a hapless AmaZulu at the Lucas ‘Master Pieces’ Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.

Golden Arrows beat Polokwane City 1–0 thanks to an own-goal while defending champions Baroka FC were thrashed 4–2 by SuperSport United and Maritzburg United defeated Bidvest Wits 3–1 on penalties after they were deadlocked 1–1 after extra time.

Chippa United and Bloemfontein Celtic will play the last game of the round of 16 on 22 October at 7.30 pm at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, the home of the Chillie Boys as Chippa are known to their faithful.

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