Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns have booked their places in the Carling Knockout Cup quarter-finals following convincing victories in their respective Round of 16 matches.
Pirates defeated Milford FC 3-0 at Orlando Stadium, while Chiefs secured an identical scoreline against TS Galaxy at FNB Stadium. Sundowns, meanwhile, edged Marumo Gallants 1-0 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
The Buccaneers dominated the encounter against newly promoted Milford, scoring all three goals before half-time. Thapelo Mokobodi opened the scoring before Tshepang Moremi netted twice to seal the victory.
Despite the comfortable scoreline, Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou was dissatisfied with his side’s performance, particularly its decision-making in front of goal.
“I think for a big club like Pirates, we should do better,” Ouaddou said, stressing that a team competing for major honours should be more clinical.
He pointed to the team’s 24 chances and its struggles in physical duels as reasons why he could not be fully satisfied with the performance.
Meanwhile, Chiefs recorded one of their biggest wins of the season, with Wandile Duba scoring a second-half hat-trick to secure a 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy.
The result provided relief for coach Fernando da Cruz, who had been under pressure following a run of disappointing results and the club’s recent elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup.
Speaking through an interpreter, Da Cruz described the victory as crucial, given the emotional pressure surrounding the team.
“A very important victory, as you may imagine, in a competition that you have no other opportunities than the moment you play a game,” he said.
The Chiefs coach added that his side had started well but made unnecessary mistakes in possession that allowed emotions to affect their performance.
Sundowns also progressed after claiming a narrow 1-0 win over Marumo Gallants, coached by former Sundowns player Ronnie Kanalelo.
Despite enjoying 70% possession, Masandawana were unable to extend their lead. Coach Miguel Cardoso said he was pleased with the result, particularly given that it came four days after the team’s elimination from the CAF Champions League.
Cardoso acknowledged that his side could have made better use of its opportunities, citing poor passing and decision-making in key moments.
The three teams join Sekhukhune United, AmaZulu FC, Siwelele FC and Golden Arrows in the quarter-finals.
Durban City are scheduled to face Stellenbosch FC in Chatsworth, with the winner claiming the final remaining place in the last eight.
