In what was an eventful fixture upon the return of South African football, Magesi progressed to the next round of the Carling Knockout following a dramatic 3-2 win against Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Buccaneers looked lively during the opening exchanges of the match, as Deano van Rooyen showcased his attacking intent down the right-hand side of the pitch. However, Magesi launched swift counter attacks in the first 10 minutes after soaking up early pressure from the home team.
Pirates dominated the ball possession count midway through the first half and stroked the ball around with ease inside the Magesi half. Again, the Soweto giants have identified gaps in wide areas of the pitch and took the game to their opponents with direct running on the outside.
Nevertheless, it was Magesi who opened the scoring moments after the half-hour mark, as Delano Abrahams got his name on the scoresheet. In what was their best passing passage of the match, Magesi pinned Pirates back in their own box before Godfrey Mashigo found Abrahams with an accurate cross into the box, and the full-back guided the ball into the back of the net with a diving header.
Magesi doubled their advantage shortly before the break via an own goal involving Thabiso Sesane. After another incisive attacking move toward the Pirates 18-yard-area, Tshepo Kakora squared the ball across the six-yard box, which ricocheted off Sesane’s knees and over the line.
Then, in a moment that left the Pirates bench in shock, Magesi were awarded a penalty in the 47th minute after Deolin Mekoa was brought down in the area following a mazy run at the Pirates defenders. Stepping up to the spot, Edmore Chirambadare’s initial effort was saved by Sipho Chaine, however, the attacker followed up with a header from close range.
Pirates dominated on the ball immediately after the restart and provided the Magesi goalkeeper with a couple of shaky moments while under pressure. Nonetheless, Magesi did well to ward off the home team’s attacking advancements.
Tshegofatso Mabasa came close to scoring in the 64th minute after striking the crossbar following an effort inside the area. As the clock ticked on, Pirates continued to pile on the pressure and played most of their game inside the Magesi half.
Pirates eventually drew one back in the 86th minute, as Kabelo Dlamini added his name to the scoreboard following a sustained bit of pressure by the hosts. With wind in their sails, the Buccaneers added a second three minutes later with Evidence Makgopa joining Dlamini on the scoresheet.
Despite throwing the kitchen sink at Magesi during the closing stages of the encounter, Pirates were unable to make the most of all their scoring chances as Magesi marched on to the next round of the Carling Knockout.
