Mabasa Hat-trick Sends Pirates Into Nedbank Cup Quarter-finals
Defending champions Orlando Pirates secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup with a convincing 3-1 victory over National First Division side Baroka F.C.
Striker Tshegofatso Mabasa was the star of the match, scoring a hat-trick to ensure the Pirates' progression into the last eight of the competition.
In another match earlier in the day, Marumo Gallants defeated Amazulu FC 1-0 at Seisa Ramabodu Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Despite facing a lower-division opponent, Orlando Pirates stuck largely with their usual starting eleven. Captain Thapelo Xoki returned to the lineup, replacing the injured Thabiso Sesane, while forward Tshegofatso Mabasa was also reinstated in place of Evidence Makgopa.
Pirates had previously registered a solid 3-1 win over Richards Bay in their first-round encounter last month, while Baroka F.C. reached the last 16 after defeating amateur side Umvoti FC.
