A Happy Jele goal helped Orlando Pirates overcome plucky Free State Stars 1-0 in a Nedbank Cup quarter-final encounter at Orlando Stadium on Monday.
The defender headed in the winner in the 53rd minute from a short corner kick taken by Dikgang Mabalane to send the Buccaneers fans into ecstasy at the prospect of a semi-final berth of the South African FA cup.
The Pirates win was not without any scares as Stars made some late surges after the hour mark.
The hosts were reduced to 10 men following the sending off of goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa seven minutes after Jele’s goal.
Meyiwa was shown a straight red card for a professional foul after tripping a goal-bound Noah Chivuta just outside the penalty area.
Jacob’s added
His replacement was Jacob Mokhasi — a former Stars player who was making his club debut on the day — after striker Chiukepo Msowoyawas sacrificed.
Mokhasi was signed by Pirates in January as cover for the injured Moeneeb Josephs and, to the relief of coach Ruud Krol, was not given too much to do in the game.
Stars had opted for a cautious approach in the first 60 minutes preferring to be tight on their defensive lines while pushing forward with Boitumelo Sekgopela.
After the introduction of Madoda Motha, Ea Lla Kkoto made some surges forward even though they failed to consistently put pressure on the untested Mokhasi.
Sekgopela should have found an equaliser but failed to connect with a cross on the right side of the box with the Pirates defence caught napping.
Three strikes
In a dull first half, Pirates had only mustered three clear chances at goal with two from striker Thulasizwe Mbuyane going wide of goal.
An opportunity from his strike partner, Msowoya, was on target though in the 40th minute and drew a blinding stop from an alert Kennedy Mweene in the Stars goal.
Pirates did create some chances to add in the second of the match, but wasted opportunities with Mabalane shooting wide of Mweene’s goal on the edge of the box.
Substitute paceman Tlou Segolela had two clear cut chances and on both occasions fluffed his shots with Mweene beaten.
After the match Pirates were drawn to play Mpumalanga Black Aces at home in the semifinals with the Premier Soccer League set to announce the dates and venues later in the week. — Sapa