Pirates avoid banana skin; Leopards upset AmaZulu

Mohammed Anas of Black Leopards celebrates goal with teammates during the 2021 Nedbank Cup last 16 match between Black Leopards and AmaZulu at Peter Mokaba Stadium, Venda, on 27 February 2021 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Feb 27, 2021. 20:30

Orlando Pirates avoided a potential banana skin in South Africa’s Nedbank Cup on Saturday, while Black Leopards upset an in-form AmaZulu as the quarterfinal line-up began to take shape.

Pirates found themselves in trouble in an evening game at Harry Gwala Stadium when hosts Maritzburg United claimed an early lead through former Buccaneers star Thabiso Kutumela, but a powerful second-half performance saw the Soweto side to a deserved win.

Kabelo Dlamini scored his first goal for the club to bring the game level on 56 minutes, and just 60 seconds later Namibian Deon Hotto turned home from a great assist by Linda Mntambo to complete a stunning turnaround.

There was still time for Vincent Pule to provide a fine finish in the latter stages and seal a 3-1 victory for Pirates which sees them through to the final eight.

Elsewhere, the early game saw Black Leopards claim an upset 1-0 home win over AmaZulu at the Thohoyandou Stadium.

Ghanaian striker Mohammed Anas scored the only goal of the game as Lidoda Duvha brought Usuthu’s recent run of good form under coach Benni McCarthy to an abrupt end.

The Nedbank Cup will continue with three last 16 matches on Sunday 28 February: Pretoria Callies v JDR Stars, TS Sporting v Richards Bay and Chippa United v Cape Town City.

Nedbank Cup results, Saturday 27 February

Black Leopards 1-0 AmaZulu

Maritzburg United 1-3 Orlando Pirates