PIC:  Sipho Mbule scored the final goal for Orlando Pirates in their 4-1 win.

Orlando Pirates are safely through to the Last 16 of the Nedbank Cup after they defeated third-tier Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in Durban on Saturday, but there was one topflight casualty to lower league opposition.
The Buccaneers would have been wary of their opponents having lost, ironically, 4-1 to third-tier Maluti FET College in 2013, one of the most famous results in the country’s knockout football history. 

Pirates made a fast start to the game at Moses Mabhida Stadium as new signing André de Jong scored his first goal for the club from the penalty spot.

It was 2-0 inside 17 minutes when Thalente Mbatha’s long-range strike took a wicked deflection and settled in the net.

TTM fought back and did score as former Chippa United and Cape Town Spurs left-back Sithembiso Ngobe found the back of the net.

But Pirates took control again in the second half as Patrick Maswanganyi restored their two-goal advantage and then set up a goal for Sipho Mbule to make it 4-1.

Mbule came off the bench for his first minutes since the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.

Second-tier Upington City caused the first shock of the Nedbank Cup when they defeated topflight Magesi FC on penalties following a 0-0 draw at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium.

It was an unfortunate outing for new Magesi signing Levy Mashiane, whose missed penalty in the shoot-out proved decisive.

Jacksa Spears became the second ABC Motsepe League side into the Last 16 after defeating fellow third-tier outfit FC Cardinals 4-2 after extra time in Bethlehem.

Bokamoso Seretsi and Sheldon Mashuge had Spears 2-0 up with five minutes to play before Cardinals sparked a remarkable comeback.

First, Katleho Tshabalala converted a penalty on 85 minutes, before Kgotso Mizi sent the game into extra time. But a brace from Moeti Mofokeng turned the tie back in favour of the Northern Cape visitors.

Spears are making their second Nedbank Cup appearance, having lost in the Last 32 in 2013.

Striker Bradley Majola scored his first goal for Sekhukhune United following a January move from Stellenbosch FC as they edged second-tier Highbury FC in Gqeberha.

The tight tussle was settled after 11 minutes as Majola netted from a Tresor Yamba assist.

Sekhukhune United coach Eric Tinkler has made winning the Nedbank Cup a major focus for the side this season and they are off to a good start. The club lost the 2023 final to Pirates.

Thuso Mogale scored twice and Ofentse Kgosana added the other as second-tier Casric Stars defeated North West ABC Motsepe League side Army Rockets in Rustenburg.
The match between Lamontville Golden Arrows and Orbit College was initially delayed at halftime due to lightning, and then later postponed when conditions did not improve.
Golden Arrows were leading 1-0 at the break thanks to Lungelo Nguse’s penalty after 28 minutes. 

NEDBANK CUP LAST 32 FIXTURES/RESULTS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4

Mamelodi Sundowns 2 (Shalulile 41’, Morena 61’) Gomora United 1 (Maoke 45’)

Stellenbosch FC 2 (Jabaar 10’pen, Titus 22’) Kaizer Chiefs 1 (Silva 56’pen)

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6

Durban City 0 Chippa United 0
After extra-time; City won 3-2 on penalties

CR Vasco da Gama 4 (Diedericks 11’, 57’, Dien 76’pen, Phigeland 83’) Luthuli Brigades 1 (Mkhabela 6’)

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7

Highbury FC 0 Sekhukhune United 1 (Mojela 11’)

Upington City 0 Magesi FC 0
After extra-time; Upington won 5-4 on penalties

Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila 1 (Ngobe 39) Orlando Pirates 4 (De Jong 10’pen, Mbatha 17’, Maswanganyi 50’, Mbule 90’)

FC Cardinals 2 (Tshabalala 85’pen, Mizi 88’) Jacksa Spears 4 (Seretsi 28’, Mashuge 50’, Mofokeng 97’, 101)
After extra-time

Army Rockets FC 0 Casric Stars 3 (Mogale 28’, 34’, Kgosana 89’)

Lamontville Golden Arrows P-P Orbit College

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8

15h00: TS Galaxy vs Marumo Gallants – Solomon Mahlangu Stadium

15h00: Hungry Lions vs University of Pretoria – Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium

15h00: Mkhambathi FC vs Lerumo Lions – Harry Gwala Stadium

18h00: Siwelele vs Richards Bay – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10

19h00: SSU M-17 FC vs Milford FC – Dobsonville Stadium

19h00: Polokwane City vs AmaZulu – Old Peter Mokaba Stadium

TOURNAMENT STATISTICS
Matches played: 9
Goals scored: 26

Goals per game: 2.89

Biggest victory: CR Vasco da Gama 4 Luthuli Brigades 1 (Last 32, February 6); TTM 1 Orlando Pirates 3 (Last 32, February 7); Army Rocket 0 Casric Stars 3 (Last 32, February 7)

Most goals in a game: 5 – CR Vasco da Gama 4 Luthuli Brigades 1 (Last 32, February 6); TTM 1 Orlando Pirates 3 (Last 32, February 7)

GOALSCORERS

2 goals – TJ Diedericks (CR Vasco da Gama), Moeti Mofokeng (Jacksa Spears), Thuso Mogale (Casric Stars)
1 goal – Andre de Jong (Orlando Pirates), Tauriq Dien (CR Vasco da Gama), Ibraheem Jabaar (Stellenbosch FC), Ofentse Kgosana (Casric Stars), Sheldon Mashuge (Jacksa Spears), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates), Kgotso Mizi (Cardinals), Ntshuxeko Mkhabela (Luthuli Brigades), Mpho Moake (Gomora United), Bradley Mojela (Sekhukhune United), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sithembiso Ngobe (TTM), Michel Phigeland (CR Vasco da Gama), Bokamoso Seretsi (Jacksa Spears), Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns), Flávio Silva (Kaizer Chiefs), Devin Titus (Stellenbosch FC), Katleho Tshabalala (Cardinals)