Pirates ease into TKO last four

2014-10-25 22:45

Happy Jele

Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates advanced to the semi-finals of the Telkom Knockout when they defeated Ajax Cape Town 4-1 at Orlando Stadium on Saturday night. 

Happy Jele, Siyabonga Sangweni, Lehlohonolo Majoro and Oupa Manyisa were on target for the Buccaneers, while Thabiso Nkoana scored the only goal for Ajax from the penalty spot.
The two sides struggled to find their rhythm in the opening minutes due to the wet conditions but it was the hosts who had the first opportunity in the 19th minute with Majoro firing wide from the left side of the box.
Three minutes later Keagan Dolly almost caught Senzo Meyiwa off-guard with a dipping long-range effort but the Pirates goalkeeper reacted well to parry the ball wide of the target.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 34th minute when Khethokwakhe Masuku’s corner found Jele free inside the box and his header was deflected into the back of the net by Tashreeq Morris.
Meyiwa made another save four minutes later to keep his side in the lead, shuffling to his left to push an inswinging freekick from Dolly wide of goal.
The Buccaneers doubled their lead in the 45th minute from another Masuku corner which was headed home by an unmarked Sangweni at the far post.
Vladimir Vermezovic’s side extended their advantage two minutes into the second half with Majoro turning away from Abbubaker Mobara before firing a low shot into the back of the net.
The Urban Warriors pulled one goal back in the 55th minute as Nkoana slotted the ball in from the penalty spot after Thabo Qalinge was adjudged to have fouled Mobara inside the box.
However, the Buccaneers were able to restore their three-goal lead in the 76th minute as Erasmus broke through on the right before squaring the ball for Manyisa, who poked the ball past the advancing goalkeeper to seal a convincing win for the home side.