Orlando Pirates’ vast superiority allowed them to come back from behind and overwhelm Classic 3-1 in the last 16 of the Absa Cup Soccer Competition match at the Johannesburg Stadium on Wednesday night.
Classic led 1-0 at halftime. Ben Madlanzi rifled a beautiful shot in front of defender Papi Khomane past fully stretched goalkeeper Thabang Radebe in the 43rd minute.
But the Tembisa-based club failed to take advantage of the disjointed Pirates, who played poorly in the first stanza. In fact, the absence of Pirates’ industrious midfield general Benedict Vilakazi, who is in London with Bafana Bafana, was clearly detrimental to the Pirates cause.
Concerned Pirates coach Augusto Palacios made a double substitution at the start of the second half. He introduced Lebogang Mokoena and Steve Lekoelea for a disappointing Tshamala Kabanga and Hleza Mofedi.
It was then that the Buccaneers started moving forward. They began stringing decent passes together, forcing Classic to back-pedal.
Defender Abednigo Netshowde blasted a shot inside the net levelling matters in the 61st minute after receiving a perfect pass from Patrick Thwala.
Joseph Makhanya, who was always a menace when in possession, finally found the back of the net, crowning his sterling performance. Makhanya scored Pirates’ second goal in the 67th minute.
His left-footer beat goalkeeper Washington Tsotesi hands down and the genuine Pirates fans who ignored the freezing weather were on cloud nine.
Later, defender Ernest Mokwatle had no choice but to pull Mokoena down with his jersey after being left wanting inside the box and referee Jerome Damon awarded a penalty that was brilliantly converted by midfielder Edelbert Dinha in the 70th minute.
Mokwatle, who was yellow-carded in the first half, was lucky not to be sent off. Strangely Damon did not even talk to Mokwatle.
Pirates were in full flight after scoring their third goal. They piled on pressure in search for the fourth goal but Classic were not compromising.
Pirates, who were edged out 2-1 by Silver Stars at the same stage of the lucrative multimillion-rand competition last year, have booked a place in the quarterfinals while Classic took home R75 000.
Pirates were the first to create a chance when Jimmy Tau crossed inside the box to Edward Malinga, whose glancing header went over in the ninth minute.
Tau’s harsh tackle earned him a yellow card in the 18th minute and Classic was awarded a free kick. Johnny Brace’s resultant kick deflected off a defender and Classic won their first corner.
Mokwatle was cautioned for an infringement in the 27th minute.
The Tembisa-based club were in full control of the midfield where Pirates missed the services of Vilakazi.
But the black-and-white outfit finally broke away from pressure and forced their opponents to back-pedal.
Phakathi forced a corner — the first for the hosts. Patrick Thwala swung a left-footer to Malinga, who jumped majestically above Classic’s defenders, but his header went over the top in the 29th minute.
The visitors never stopped trying and Joseph Mamatela’s grass cutter went hissing wide in the 33rd minute. The first direct shot came from Classic in the 36th minute and it was a well-struck attempt by Dumisani Masondo but it went wide.
The match, which was played in front of a poor crowd that was probably discouraged by the terrible weather conditions, degenerated into a physical clash.
Tempers flared on both sides and rough tackles took the centre stage.
Vincent Mabusela tripped an advancing Joseph Makhanya and was deservedly yellow-carded in the 41st minute.
David Malatule was lucky not be sent off for an off the ball incident. He deliberately elbowed Makhanya but the referee and his two assistants did not see the incident in the 44th minute. — Sapa