Orlando Pirates lead Venda Football Academy by one goal at halftime of their Nedbank Cup last 16 tie on Saturday evening.
Nedbank Cup
Result: Orlando Pirates 2-1 Venda Football Academy
Date: 11 March 2023
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Pirates made three changes from their big win against Swallows, as Kermit Erasmus and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo were both recalled while Nkosinathi Sibisi returned from suspension.
The Buccaneers were patient on the ball against a deep lying Venda early on and Deon Hotto should have given them the lead on 11 minutes after a chip over the defence by Erasmus but he blasted his volley in the box over the crossbar.
The hosts' patient build-up paid off midway through the first stanza after Erasmus broke the deadlock with a downward header from a cross by Hotto.
Joel Masutha's charges had the guile to create openings upfront and Rudzani Thobo came very close to equalising a couple of minutes later with a free header in the box that hit the outside of the post.
The visitors remained a threat as Edmore Chirambadare had a big chance shortly after the half-hour mark after he played himself through on goal but his close-range shot was saved by goalkeeper Sipho Chaine in a one-on-one.
Jose Riveiro's men gained control of the contest after that but they could not create clear-cut chances and settled for a narrow lead at the break.
Venda had the perfect start in the second stanza as a mistake by Hotto, who tried to play from the back, cushioned a loose ball into the path of Chirambadare in the box and the former Kaizer Chiefs striker made no mistake.
The Buccaneers had a sense of urgency just after the half-hour mark after Thabiso Monyane and Vincent Pule were introduced in a change of approach, as Dzvukamanja was denied a golden chance at the near post by goalkeeper Harold Ndlovu.
Venda were not sitting back as Thobo had a shot cleared off the line by Pirates and on a quick transition, the Soweto giants should have restored their lead with 20 minutes left after Thembinkosi Lorch raced through on goal and curled a shot over Ndlovu but his effort came off the frame of goal.
The game was on the balance after that and Riveiro surprisingly hauled off Dzvukamanja in the last 15 minutes and brought on Evidence Makgopa.
The pace of the game slowed down in the dying minutes and Venda managed to hold out for a 1-1 draw, as the sides went to extra-time.
With chances hard to come by, Lorch restored the lead for the Buccaneers seven minutes before time with a strike into the top corner after a headed pass by Makgopa.
The Buccaneers were able to see out the closing stages of extra-time to seal their spot in the last eight of the competition.
Here's how they line up:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Mako, Xoki, Sibisi, Hotto, Timm, Ndlondlo, Dlamini, Saleng, Lorch, Erasmus
Subs: Mpontshane, Monyane, Mthethwa, Motshwari, Makaringe, Pule, Makgopa, Dzvukamanja, Marou
VFA: Ndlovu, Makhubele, Ramonyai, Siyasi, Ngubane, Jodwana, Tavengwa, Chirambadare, Thobo, Mariba, Manzini.
Subs: Munyai, Mofokeng, Ndlela, Mathebula, Mbedzi, Mutsivhuli, Nene, Babatunde, Rankoko.
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