Orlando Pirates secured a spot in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals
Orlando Pirates secured a spot in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals, keeping their hopes alive of defending the trophy after a 3-1 victory over Baroka FC at Orlando Stadium, Tshegofatso Mabasa netting a hat-trick for the sea robbers.
Buccaneers controlled possession from the bigging of the game totheend, launching dominating number of attacks against Baroka.
Buccaneers finally broke the deadlock in the 29th minute when Mabasa slotted home a low shot after being set up by Deon Hotto.
Baroka had a chance to equalize when Thuso Mogale broke through on the left wing, but his curling shot went wide.
As the hosts continued to dominate possession, they doubled their lead just before halftime with a well-worked team goal, finished off by Mabasa for his brace, making it 2-0 at the break.
Their task became even more difficult when Mabasa completed his hat-trick just after the hour mark, finishing off another well-executed move by the Buccaneers to make it 3-0.
A late defensive mistake by Pirates substitute Innocent Maela nearly gifted Baroka a second goal, but they failed to capitalize on the opportunity.
Despite a late push from Baroka, it was too little, too late, as the defending Nedbank Cup champions marched on to the next round.
