Orlando Pirates secured their place in the Carling Knockout Cup last eight with a convincing 3-0 victory over Milford FC at the Orlando Amstel Arena.
Tshepang Moremi scored twice and created the opening goal for Thapelo Mokobodi as the hosts put the result beyond doubt before half-time.
Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made two changes to the team that defeated African Stars 4-0 in the CAF Champions League last Friday. Deon Hotto and Ghampani Lungu came into the starting line-up, replacing Nkosikhona Ndaba and Simphiwe Masilela.
Pirates made their early pressure count in the 15th minute. Moremi supplied the pass for Mokobodi, who kept his composure to guide a low effort beyond Milford goalkeeper Siphamandla Hleza and into the bottom corner.
The home side doubled their lead 19 minutes later with a quick attack in transition. Moremi broke through the offside trap, accelerated away from the Milford defence and finished confidently from an acute angle.
Moremi then completed his brace in first-half stoppage time. He collected a defence-splitting pass from Mpho Padime, rounded the goalkeeper and put Orlando Pirates 3-0 ahead.
Pirates controlled the second half without needing to take unnecessary risks. They dictated the pace of the match and limited their lower-league opponents to very few opportunities, while Milford struggled to find a way through a well-organised defensive line.
The result gives Ouaddou’s team significant momentum before Saturday’s Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs.
Kaizer Chiefs also advanced in the Carling Knockout Cup after beating TS Galaxy 3-0 on the previous evening. The result suggested that Fernando Da Cruz’s side had emerged from the match in improved form ahead of the derby.
Kaizer Chiefs’ academy product Wandile Duba scored all three goals to register the first hat-trick of his career. Despite that achievement, he did not accept the Man of the Match award.
