Orlando Pirates crashed out of the Nedbank Cup at the last 16 stage after losing to holders Marumo Gallants on penalties.
Nedbank Cup Last 16
Result: Marumo Gallants 1-1 Orlando Pirates (Gallants won 5-4 on penalties)
Date: 09 March 2022
Venue: New Peter Mokaba Stadium
The Buccaneers made four changes to the side that lost to Kaizer Chiefs, as goalkeeper Richard Ofori, Goodman Mosele Happy Jele and Zakhele Lepasa were handed starts.
Pirates had a big chance to go ahead in the tenth minute from a quick transition after a cross by Deon Hotto found Lepasa unmarked in the box but he miscued his shot wide.
Gallants grew in confidence and were awarded a penalty in the 20th minute after Joseph Malongoane went down from a challenge by Jele, which allowed Ndabayithethwa Ndlondo to break the deadlock with a low strike that Ofori could only parry into the back of the net.
The visitors had a quick response, as the in-form Bandile Shandu levelled matters ten minutes later with a side-footed finish past goalkeeper King Ndlovu at his near post after going through on goal from Lepasa's pass on the blind-side.
View 22 players you may have forgotten played for Orlando Pirates:
Pirates were on the front foot from the break and Hotto was unfortunate not give them the lead three minutes in with a curling free-kick from the edge of the box that rattled the post.
The Soweto giants continued to pin back Gallants in their own half, creating chances but they were not decisive and with 20 minutes left they brought on Thembinkosi Lorch in place of Kwame Peprah in a tactical move upfront.
However, the game was there for the taking in the closing stages, with both sides threatening on transitions but neither had clear chances and extra-time was required after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
With both sides struggling in extra-time, Lerato Lamola should have restored the lead for Dan Malesela's charges in the last five minutes after going through on goal one-on-one with Ofori but he side-footed his shot just wide, while Ofori had to keep out a dipping free-kick by Ndlondo to send the game to penalties.
It was Gallants who secured victory via the penalties after Ndlovu saved Dzkukamanja's spot-kick in sudden death to keep their Nedbank Cup defence going
Here's how they lined up:
Gallants: 16. Ndlovu, 2. Nkili, 24. Mvelase, 5. Mabotja, 44. Nhlapo, 6. Timm, 11. Otladisa, 10. Ngema, 20. Ndlondlo, 21. Molangoane, 33. Dion.
Subs: 36. Arubi, 3. Manaka, 14. Lamola, 29. Gumede, 23. Mnyamane, 15. Mphambaniso, 50. Sibeko, 30. Kumalo, 12. Khiba.
Pirates: 31. Ofori, 4. Jele, 49. Ndah, 26. Shandu, 29. Mako, 16. Monare, 20. Mosele, 11. Hotto, 18. Dlamini, 25. Lepasa, 46. Peprah
Subs: 40. Mpontshane, 42. Mabaso, 27. Dzvukamanja, 32. Mntambo, 23. Maela, 19. Sam, 9. Mabasa, 5. Nyauza, 3. Lorch.
