On Saturday night, Thembinkosi Lorch made a triumphant return to the
Orlando Pirates side, as his goal and an earlier strike from Monnapule
Saleng saw the Buccaneers defeat All Stars FC 2-0 in the Nedbank Cup last
32.
The match, played at the Wits Football Stadium, saw Pirates give first
starts to Craig Martin and Sandile Mthethwa, while Thembinkosi Lorch
featured on the bench for the first time since August along with new
signings Marou Souaibou and Makhehlene Makhaula. The match was a tight
affair, with All Stars proving a tough nut to crack.
☠️ FT || All Stars FC 0 – 2 Orlando Pirates
🥅 62' Saleng
🥅 71' Lorch⚫️⚪️🔴⭐️#Matchday #NedbankCup#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways#MidrandOPFC pic.twitter.com/kS7l6t3lzS
— Greater Midrand Orlando Pirates Supporters Branch (@MidrandOPFC) February 11, 2023
The hosts had pace on transitions and had a good resistance in their last
third, while Pirates had a casualty early on after Goodman Mosele picked
up an injury and was replaced by Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo.
Pirates had a sustained pressure on their hosts towards the half-hour
mark and Mthethwa found the back of the net six minutes before the break,
but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Jose Riveiro made a tactical change at halftime as Lorch came on for
Kabelo Dlamini, and the substitution paid dividends as Saleng broke the
deadlock shortly after the hour-mark with an improvised right-footed
hooked shot after a scramble in the box.
Lorch then put the game to bed 19 minutes before time with a low cracking
shot in the box after he reacted the quickest to a ricochet in the box.
Pirates gave Makhaula his debut off the bench in the last five minutes in
place of Miguel Timm, as the Buccaneers booked their spot in the last 16
of the Nedbank Cup.
