Following a dominant 4-1 display at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Orlando Pirates have officially punched their ticket to the Nedbank Cup Round of 16. It was a game of two halves, but the tactical superiority of the Buccaneers eventually overwhelmed a gritty TTM side.
Here is how the Sea Robbers rated in their clinical “Last 32” triumph:
The Defensive Wall
- Siyabonga Buthelezi: 6.5/10 A relatively quiet afternoon for Buthelezi. He could do little about Ngobe’s 39th-minute strike but remained vocal and organized his backline well under late pressure.
- Mpho Chabatsane (Debut): 7/10 A solid debut for the newcomer. He showed great composure on the ball and linked up well with the midfield. A promising start to his life in the Black and White.
- Nkosinathi Sibisi (C): 7.5/10 The “General” led by example. His positioning was flawless, and he provided the aerial dominance needed to stifle TTM’s long-ball attempts.
- Deano van Rooyen: 7/10 Relentless energy down the right flank. His overlapping runs created constant headaches for the TTM wingbacks.
- Deon Hotto: 7/10 As reliable as ever. Whether defending or pushing forward, Hotto’s work rate ensured Pirates maintained control of the left corridor.
The Engine Room
- Thalente Mbatha (Man of the Match): 9/10 ⚽ The undisputed star of the show. Mbatha dictated the tempo and scored a magnificent long-range goal in the 17th minute. He was the heartbeat of the team today.
- Masindi Nemtajela: 6.5/10 A disciplined performance. He sat deep and allowed Mbatha the freedom to roam, breaking up TTM’s play effectively before being replaced by the heavy hitters.
The Creative Frontline
- Andre de Jong: 8/10 ⚽ Cool, calm, and collected. He set the tone for the afternoon by converting a 10th-minute penalty with clinical precision to open the scoring.
- Oswin Appollis: 7.5/10 His vision was a standout. While he didn’t get on the scoresheet, his pre-assist play and movement between the lines were vital for the opening two goals.
- Tshepang Moremi: 6.5/10 Showed flashes of brilliance and pace but struggled to find the final ball. Worked hard until he was substituted to make way for the impact players.
- Yanela Mbuthuma: 7/10 A handful for the TTM defenders. His hold-up play was excellent, providing the platform for the likes of De Jong and Mbatha to charge forward.
The High-Impact Super Subs
- Patrick “Tito” Maswanganyi: 8.5/10 ⚽ The definition of an impact sub. Coming on in the second half, he immediately raised the intensity and scored a brilliant goal in the 50th minute to kill off TTM’s momentum.
- Siphelo Mbule: 8/10 ⚽ “The Master Chef” cooked late in the game. He added much-needed flair and put the final nail in the coffin with a stoppage-time strike to make it 4-1.
