Orlando Pirates sent Jomo Cosmos – both teams from the South – packing from the Nedbank Cup after beating them 3-1 in a Last 16 match at Olen Park on Sunday, April 3.The draw for the quarter-finals will take place on Thursday, April 7.
A brace from Tendai Ndoro was the difference on the day and saw Pirates into the quarter-finals of the competition, while Charlton Mashumba was in fine form for the losing Cosmos.
The Buccaneers started positively and opened the scoring in the third minute after Ndoro headed home a deep right-wing cross from Rooi Mahamutsa, for 1-0.
Cosmos tried to find their way back into the match and came close to levelling matters in the 18th minute when Maluleka broke into the box, but he saw his 14-yard effort superbly saved by the keeper.
Five minutes later Cosmos did find the equaliser when Charlton Mashumba fired the ball into the top right corner from 25 yards out, making it 1-1.
Pirates controlled the remainder of the half and retook the lead in the dying seconds of the stanza when Luvuyo Memela headed home a right-sided free kick from Mpho Makola, for 2-1.
Ndoro found his second goal of the game three minutes into the second half as he superbly turned home a left-wing cross from Thabo Rakhale from 10 yards out, 3-1.
Ayanda Gcaba came close to scoring for the Buccaneers in the 72nd minute when he met a good cross into the box, but his header went wide of the target.
In the 80th minute Mashumba nearly pulled a goal back for Cosmos, but his shot from distance was well saved by the keeper.
In the end Cosmos could not break down the Pirates’ defence as they held on for a comfortable win.
Jomo Cosmos (1) 1 (Mashumba 25’)
Orlando Pirates (2) 3 (Ndoro 3’+ 48’, Memela 45+3’)
