Pirates down Spurs to reach Carling Knockout quarters

Two goals in the second half secured Orlando Pirates a spot in the quarterfinals of the Carling Black Label Knockout.

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A goal from the penalty spot from Tapelo Xoki and a well-taken strike by Kermit Erasmus earned Pirates a 2-0 victory against Cape Town Spurs at the Orlando Stadium on Friday night.

The Buccaneers coach Jose Riveiro made a few changes to his starting line-up with some of their regulars missing, but they still had a strong squad, which saw the return of Thembinkosi Lorch, while Evidence Makgopa also got a start.

On the other side of the field, Spurs came into the game eager for a change of fortunes in terms of results having not won a game this season.

The Urban Warriors had an early attempt at goal through Morné Nel but the ball went wide.

In the 24^th minute, both sides got some very good opportunities to take the lead. It started with Xoki’s header from a Deon Hotto cross which hit the upright, while Spurs’ forward Therlo Moosa’s shot from inside the box went just wide of Sipho Chaine’s goals.

A few minutes later, Bucs were forced to make a substitution after Chaine had to leave the field due to an injury, giving Melusi Buthelezi a chance for his first competitive game for Pirates.

Pirates could have taken the lead before the break, but Hotto’s shot was cleared off the line, while Erasmus’ header was not powerful enough to trouble Zama Dlamini at the visitors goals.

The game was still tight in the second half, despite some promising attacks from both teams.

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However, the home side went on to take the lead after Makgopa was brought down inside the box by Spurs keeper – and Xoki stood up to take the responsibility and calmly slotted the ball inside the box to make it 1-0 for the hosts in the 60^th minute.

Five minutes later, Erasmus extended the lead for the Sea Robbers making it 2-0 for Jose Riveiro’s charges.

The home side could have scored the third goal, but they let some of their chances go into waste, while the visitors couldn’t even get a consolation goal.