Orlando Pirates marked a resounding return to form with a dominant 3-1 victory over Baroka FC in the Nedbank Cup, bouncing back emphatically from their 4-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership the previous weekend.
From the opening whistle, Pirates took control of possession, dictating the tempo and launching a series of attacks on Baroka’s defense.
One of the first real chances came in the 19th minute when Relebohile Mofokeng cut inside from the left wing, unleashing a curling shot that was superbly tipped over the bar by Baroka goalkeeper Malcolm Jacobs, keeping the score level.
Pirates’ pressure paid off in the 29th minute when they finally broke the deadlock. Deon Hotto set up Tshegofatso Mabasa, who made no mistake, calmly slotting home a low shot to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Baroka tried to respond immediately, and they had a promising opportunity to equalize in the 34th minute. Thuso Mogale found space on the left wing and sent in a curling shot toward the top corner, but it narrowly missed the target, much to Pirates’ relief.
With their dominance continuing, Pirates doubled their advantage just before the break in the 44th minute. The goal was a testament to their fluid team play, as Mabasa was once again on hand to finish a well-executed move, giving Pirates a comfortable 2-0 lead heading into halftime.
Baroka came out with renewed determination in the second half, showing more intent and stringing together passes. However, they were still unable to break through the resilient Pirates defense, which remained organized and disciplined.
The game was put to bed just after the hour mark when Mabasa completed his hat-trick in the 63rd minute. A seamless team move ended with Mabasa, who made no mistake with a composed finish, making it 3-0 and sealing his match-winning performance.
Speaking after the match, Mabasa emphasized the importance of the team’s success over personal accolades. “I’m happy with today’s performance, and I’m glad to see the team bounce back after the loss in our previous game,” Mabasa said. “For me, it’s not about personal milestones.
I want to focus on the team’s goals because they are more impactful and meaningful for the club and our fans. We’re all working hard to achieve something special this season.”
With 15 minutes left, Baroka managed to pull one back from a set-piece. A free kick just outside the box was powerfully struck by Sydney Malivhali, finding the bottom corner and giving Baroka a glimmer of hope, though the deficit remained significant.
In the final minutes, Pirates’ substitute Innocent Maela made a rare defensive error, allowing Baroka to almost capitalize on a chance for a second goal. However, they failed to make the most of the opportunity, and the match ended with no further drama.
Despite a late push from Baroka, it was clear the game was well beyond their reach. Pirates’ clinical performance ensured they marched on to the next round of the competition, showing that their title defense is very much alive.