Orlando Pirates were dumped out of the Carling Knockout Cup by Magesi FC on Saturday afternoon at the Orlando Stadium.
Three quick goals in the first half were enough to give Clinton Larsen’s men a 3-2 win despite a tense finish. The visitors found the opening goal of the match through Delano Abrahams in the 31st minute. Thabiso Sesane scored an own goal seven minutes later to silence the Orlando ground.
Things got worse for Orlando Pirates before the halftime break as they found themselves trailing 3-0 after conceding a penalty. Sipho Chaine saved Edmore Chirambadare‘s penalty but the Zimbabwean scored from the rebound.
Jose Riveiro made changes in the second half with the likes of Patrick Maswanganyi and Evidence Makgopa introduced. The Buccaneers created more than 10 chances in the first 30 minutes of the second stanza but failed to find the back of the net.
Orlando Pirates’ goal was correctly ruled offside
Eventually, Riveiro’s men were rewarded for their persistence through Kabelo Dlamini in the 86th minute. Three minutes later, Evidence Makgopa’s left shot was deflected in the back of the net sending the Orlando crowd on their feet.
Orlando Pirates pushed and they thought they found the equaliser in the 95th minute only to be ruled offside. A great pass found Deon Hotto but the winger failed to control the ball which then fell to Mohau Nkota. The young attacker momentarily lost the ball before he fired past the Magesi keeper. Unfortunately for him, the linesman had already raised his flag.
Can Pirates bounce back?
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