Pirates sail past Santos

Orlando Pirates are through to the last eight.

GOALS from Lennox Bacela and Rooi Mahamutsa secured a 2-0 win for Orlando Pirates as the Buccaneers progress to the final eight at the expense of National First Division side Santos.

The game was played at the Athlone Stadium on Friday night March 21.

Orlando Pirates will now play in the last few rounds of the Nedbank Cup.

In notable team news, Nasief Morris missed out due to suspension, while Tyren Arendse faces his former employers.

Meanwhile, Tlou Segolela and Thabo Matlaba returned to the starting XI for the Buccaneers, while Lennox Bacela continued to spearhead the attack.

Clear cut chances were few and far between in the opening half, with Orlando Pirates dominating proceedings but finding it difficult to break down a well organised Santos backline.

Sachin Dawood went close for the visitors against the run of play in the 14th minute.

The Santos defender out-jumped Lucky Lekgwathi, but could only manage to direct his header over Senzo Meyiwa’s crossbar from close range.

Pirates were awarded a penalty just before the half-hour mark after Dawood brought down Segolela inside the area.

Bacela stepped up to the spot and coolly placed the ball past a wrong-footed Pa Dembo Touray in goal.

Despite the Buccaneers dominance they rarely tested the People Team’s skipper in the opening stanza, while Senzo Meyiwa at the other end of the pitch was virtually unemployed as the teams headed for the tunnel.

Santos 0-1 Orlando Pirates at the break.

Mahamutsa doubled the Sea Robbers lead in the 65th minute, heading past Touray from a Mpho Makola corner-kick following a sustained period of pressure.

Pirates completed the game with relative ease despite the fact that David Radebe missed a spot-kick in stoppage time, as they booked their place in the final eight, subsequently staying on course to play in their fourth final this campaign.

Santos (0) 0

Orlando Pirates (1) 2 (Bacela 29’ Mahamutsa 65’)

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